Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 07/01/2017 At the turn of the twentieth century, German Eugen Sandow was known as the strongest man alive, a trailblazer in bodybuilding and fitness, and a personal trainer to King George V. Though his life story may not be the stuff of history textbooks, his experiences are a window to popular culture in the Victorian era and the emerging idea of celebrity. He was one of the first to inspire people to pay attention to their health and to be physically active long before it became a mainstream practice. He became a world-wide phenomenon by performing feats of strength in circuslike shows and hosting bodybuilding competitions for spectators. Both Tate’s narrative and colorful illustrations reveal his own personal experience in the bodybuilding arena and his respect for Sandow’s lifelong goal. Throughout his life, he perfected his physique and the larger-than-life persona that accompanied it, but Tate’s measured biography doesn’t shy away from the imperfect aspects of Sandow’s personality. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 07/01/2017 Gr 1–4—Sparked by his own passion for bodybuilding and physical fitness, Tate recounts the story of Eugen Sandow (1867–1925) in this inspirational picture book. The biography begins during Sandow's childhood in Prussia, where he used sports and exercise to develop from a frail, skinny child into a robust, physically active young man and later into a world-famous strongman in the United States, with his own successful business enterprise. The text progresses chronologically, with references to various geographic settings and specific historical events. Tate's mixed-media illustrations feature characters, especially Sandow, with oversize, highly expressive faces. The muted colors are appropriate to the historical setting. The artwork is chock-full of humorous, cartoonish details that greatly enhance the story. In the afterword, Tate provides additional biographical information on both Sandow and himself. He includes a few simple exercises for kids and a well-developed bibliography. This title would be a good companion to Meghan McCarthy's Strong Man: The Story of Charles Atlas, reinforcing the themes of physical fitness and the importance of healthy choices. VERDICT An excellent introduction to a historical figure that will appeal not only to children already interested in sports and fitness but also to those in need of encouragement.—Theresa Muraski, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Library - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.