Bound To Stay Bound

Other - 07/28/2025 "Friends celebrate everywhere," declares Colleen’s polished ode to Friendsgiving-"a day to discover you are not alone." On each spread, active verbs relay the moment’s events, as friends "travel," "prepare," "gather," "feast," and more, and accompanying free verse articulates the day’s hallmark attributes. Cranberry reds, buttery yellows, and arrayed shades of purple give Sandoval Herrera’s collage-like artwork a merry vibe as holiday scenes unfold: figures of varying abilities and skin tones observe a city parade, feast, and watch and play football before, finally, when "bellies and hearts are equally full," they embrace goodbye. The creators affirm the importance of camaraderie with this radiant portrait. Ages 3-7. (Sept.) - Copyright 2025

School Library Journal - 09/01/2025 PreS-Gr 2—"Strangers, neighbors, longtime friends. Everybody has a place here. Today's a day to discover you are not alone." Traveling from near and far to gather with dear friends, this unique and inclusive picture book celebrates Friendsgiving, a time for friends to share a Thanksgiving dinner. Cooking is underway in a lively kitchen as the aromas drift and mingle with the delight of people arriving from out of town, turkey trot runners returning from their race, and children crafting hand-traced turkey decorations. Even a furry friend joins the festivities, eyeing a turkey roasting in the oven, hoping for a helping of dinner. The focus zooms out to pan across an entire community enjoying each other's company: "Each window tells a story. Glowing snapshots of the joy inside." Friends who work through the holiday are not forgotten and are visited with food and hugs of gratitude. The illustrations embrace a warm palette, blending a rich, buttery sweet potato color throughout each spread. Front endpapers serve up a Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, gravy, pumpkin pie, macaroni and cheese, and other holiday favorites. Back endpapers show the dinner leftovers and containers packed with food ready to share. When fully extended, the front and back covers depict a long table circled by a diverse group of friends enjoying one another's company at their Thanksgiving dinner. VERDICT A heartfelt ode to the celebration of chosen family to welcome into every holiday library collection.—Emily Brush - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 08/01/2025 This winsome picture book sets a good table, showing various groups of friends and neighbors gathering for a large feast and small get-togethers. Friends come from near and far; the opening double-page spread shows a plane descending over a neighborhood street crowded with cars, cabs, and people on foot. There’s a New York City vibe here, with the plane shown skirting a Triborough-like suspension bridge, apartment buildings flanked by skyscrapers, and part of a Macy’s-like parade featuring a gigantic dinosaur balloon. The themes are generosity and inclusivity, with the illustrations showing diverse groups of people merrily crowded around food-laden tables. One large gathering anchors the story as it progresses from preparation to leave-taking. The inclusivity of Friendsgiving is also shown in peeks at smaller feasts, held in apartments, on rooftops, and even on a fire escape. The art—drenched in autumnal colors and loaded with intriguing details—brings an old-fashioned, cheerful feel to the action. A must for Friendsgiving reading, with a message of kindness extending far beyond. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.