Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/27/2026 K-Gr 2—What's a fun way for Pete the Cat to learn more about his ancestors? Making a family tree! Pete knows to add mom, dad, Bob, and himself, but who else? His parents are there to remind him of others that are part of his family. As the extended family members are mentioned, Pete remembers special things they liked or enjoyed doing. He discovers he has a lot in common with them. He enjoys reading books like Gram, playing baseball like Gramps, and playing music just like his Uncle Pete. This beginning reader not only discusses family trees but also introduces young readers to long vowel sounds: vowel-consonant-silent-e, vowel digraph, and open syllable) and consonant digraphs (/ch/, /sh/, /th/, and /ng/). Many of the words are repeated which helps to reinforce skills. High frequency words are sprinkled throughout the story. Emerging readers will enjoy this book. It's hard to resist Pete the Cat, and the vibrant illustrations show an animated Pete acting out the things he and family members enjoy doing. This creates a strong connection between the pictures and the words. The text on each page is the perfect length without being overwhelming. VERDICT This is a book that deserves to be included in library and classroom collections.—Barbara Spiri - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.