Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 01/01/2018 *Starred Review* “Say it with me!” this chipper book prompts, “People don’t bite people. / You’re not a zombie, dude! / A friend will never bite a friend. / BITING IS FOR FOOD!” Paired with a neatly drawn cast of doll-like animals and human figures in Caldecott honoree Idle’s (Flora and the Flamingo, 2013) spacious, harmoniously hued illustrations, Wheeler’s (Even Monsters Need to Sleep, 2017) infectiously exclamatory rhymes present her anti-biting message with lighthearted but compelling persistence. Along with devoting individual verses to each parent as well as brothers, sisters, friends, and grown-ups in general, she notes that babies, at least, just don’t know any better, appeals to her audience’s yen for self-determination (“What you chew is up to you!”), and suggests that teeth are great for “shining up your smile!” Her observation that some people chew their hair or fingernails but “it’s gross to bite the skin you’re in” offers an additional notion that’s rarely, if ever, covered in titles addressing dentally aggressive behaviors. After all the don’ts here, the author closes with a definite do involving “people” who happen to be made of gingerbread. A chewy theme for children with biting issues, and a rollicking read-aloud for all. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 03/01/2018 PreS-K—This instructional book about biting goes above and beyond a basic lesson with its cheeky rhymes and bright, over-the-top illustrations. Wheeler writes in precise rhythmic rhyming verse, informing readers what things are good and bad to bite, in a style reminiscent of Jane Yolen's "Dinosaurs" series. The refrain features the titular "People don't bite people" and always ends with "biting is for food." The suggestions appeal to common sense, reminding children that they are not wild animals, and giving the characters the opportunity to right their behavior, by politely chewing a piece of pizza rather than gnawing on their mother, for example. Caldecott honoree Idle's wide-eyed, retro children jump off the page with ultra bright pastels done in Prismacolor pencils and expressions as sweet as the foods that adorn the cover page. Adults and children alike will appreciate the humor in both the text and illustrations, an element which is often missing in didactic works, from the up-close views of teeth and tongues on the endpapers, to the twist ending featuring gingerbread people (the one exception to the title's rule). VERDICT This book is sure to elicit giggles from group read-alouds or one-on-one sharing. Add to any collection in need of a wildly entertaining title that addresses a common childhood issue.—Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.