Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 09/01/2017 So here’s an adult, Roger, riding his bicycle with his dog, Bob, in the bike’s basket, while his little neighbor Emily rides in back. The happy trio are going to the lake to fish, but along the way, Emily—fish pole in hand, line and hook flying behind—snags a whole gallimaufry of nonpiscine things: a package, an umbrella, a skateboard, and so forth. Each time, Emily excitedly cries, “Roger! Roger! I’ve got a bite,” and the blissfully unaware Roger remonstrates, “No, you can’t fish here . . . Wait until we’re at the lake.” All the while, a growing crowd of those whose stuff has been snagged are in hot pursuit. Heavens, where will this all end? Why, the lake, of course, in a splashily predictable but nonetheless amusing denouement. Belgian author-illustrator Van Biesen has conjured up an amusing story; with its repetitive text sure to appeal to kids, and its double-page spreads filled with lively mixed-media pictures that grow increasingly crowded, readers will fall for it—hook, line, and sinker. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 10/01/2017 PreS-Gr 2— In this Belgian import, Roger, his dog Bob, and his neighbor, Emily, embark via bicycle and sans helmets on a fishing trip, but catch unexpected things along the way. Riding behind Roger, Emily holds her fishing rod aloft and snags a hat. Next she "catches" an umbrella, which comes in handy when it starts raining. After she hooks a skateboard, Emily rides it while holding on to the bike. Musical instruments and a baby's stuffed alligator also join her stash. Throughout their journey, Emily and Roger are unaware that all who have lost their possessions, and even sheep and a cow, are chasing them. They all reach a cliff, are unable to stop, and land in the lake where Roger himself finally makes a catch—Emily! A cookout at the lake, with musical accompaniment, follows. Youngsters will enjoy echoing Emily's and Roger's repeated call and response: "Roger! Roger! I've got a bite!" and "No, you can't fish here…/Wait until we're at the lake!" as well as the many onomatopoeic expressions printed in large ever-changing fonts throughout: "Stop! Stop!," "Bumble-De-Bump! Bumble-De-Bump!" etc. The whimsical mixed-media illustrations offer floating objects and much to pore over on each spread. Readers discover Emily's catches only after a page turn. Surprised expressions, Roger's blissful ignorance of Emily's antics, people flying through the air into the lake, and the discovery of the only member of the expedition to actually catch a fish will bring smiles all around. VERDICT This hilarious outing is excellent storytime fare for all libraries.— Marianne Saccardi, Children's Literature Consultant, Cambridge, MA - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.