Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 03/01/2021 This touching true story portrays conservationist Lawrence Anthony’s relationship with a frightened, hunted elephant herd that found a home at his reserve in South Africa, Thula Thula (the country is unidentified in the text). Anthony and his wife, Françoise, had a no-hunting rule at Thula Thula, but still the uneasy rescued elephants broke out of their enclosure. When they came back, a gentle Anthony carefully reassured the animals that they were safe, and they came to love their new home. A poignant ending portrays the elephants sensing Anthony’s death and mourning outside his home; an author’s note explains that they return on this anniversary every year. The importance of conservation shines through the friendship story here, and both themes are beautifully complemented by Hooper’s detailed, atmospheric drawings of the elephants and their surroundings. Especially for adult readers, it is noticeable that Thula Thula’s Zulu neighbors are almost exclusively portrayed as hunters and that Françoise is not well fleshed out either. Still, children who love Owen & Mzee (2006), by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Paula Kahumbu, and other animal nonfiction will welcome this elephant tale. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 06/01/2021 Gr 1–3—This work recounts the story of Lawrence Anthony and Françoise Malby-Anthony and their lifelong bond with a herd of elephants at Thula Thula animal reserve in South Africa. The elephants were brought to Thula Thula for protection against poachers, but were anxious and destructive of their enclosure. Ultimately, Lawrence earns the elephants' trust and their bond becomes so strong that after Lawrence's death, the elephants return to his house from miles away and keep vigil there for three days with Françoise. The story is greatly simplified and emotional; the explanation of Lawrence's death is brief and straightforward. The illustrations are expansive with a limited color palette of warm oranges and cool greens and blues. The animal characters are dynamic, humorous, and emotive. As for the human characters, Lawrence and Françoise are white, while Black characters are depicted in the roles of helpers; "hunters" are depicted in silhouette. VERDICT A sentimental but high-interest story based on true events of the bond between wild animals and the humans who care for them, suitable for early elementary students.—Kelly Topita, Anne Arundel County P.L., MD - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.