Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 02/01/2025 K-Gr 5—Bransfield's third collection of concrete poems, after Splish Splash and Flicker Flash, introduces readers to the many landforms and geological features of planet Earth. Beginning with "Fantastic Forces" and "Continents," which provide simple background information for the ever-changing topography of our planet, the poems that follow describe everything from mountains and plains to chasms, archipelagos, and hoodoos. Regardless of the subject in question, each poem has been carefully crafted to fit within its shape. Bold text and illustrations work together seamlessly, keeping readers engaged and eager to turn the page. Garcia's bright colors and aptly applied details fill the full-page digital spreads with wonderment. Back matter includes additional information about each feature, an approachable glossary of terms, and an enticing page of additional resources to explore. VERDICT An excellent introduction to our awesome planet for novice geographers and poets alike.—Lynn Van Auken - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Other - 02/24/2025 Concrete poems introduce the remarkable attributes of major Earth landforms in this playfully informational picture book whose shapely verse suits its subjects. A piece about continental drift takes the form of seven continents. Elsewhere, lines form a triangle as they offer a send-up to mountains ("Up,/ Up, Up/ peak upon/ peak, I seek"). Rhymes, alliteration, and assonance by Bransfield Graham add further textual drama: "molten M A G M A, lava/ starts to F L O W-/ WATCH OUT, WATCH OUT/ WATCH OUT BELOW!!!" Garcia’s clean, contemporary artwork uses vibrant coloring to enliven static visuals of arches, canyons, chasms, glaciers, and more. Poetry and art combine to create an upbeat spin through Earth’s forms. Back matter includes further facts. Ages 4-8. (Feb.) - Copyright 2025

Booklist - 03/01/2025 *Starred Review* Graham waxes geologic in this shapely collection of 20 plus poems, each detailing a landform or rock type. Subjects range from the familiar (continents, deserts, volcanoes) to the lesser known (chasms, hoodoos, archipelagos). Each concrete verse provides a basic description with special attention paid to the visual formatting. For example, Continents offers two stanzas with words arranged to form the shapes of South America and Africa. Likewise, Volcano has words arranged in a rectangular shape (the cone) with letters spelling lava forming the flow. The text is lyrical with some rhyming: Metamorphic rock / morphs, changes, / transforms, rearranges— / pressure and heat / make the switch / complete. Verses are brief and the presentation style is direct, although several offer a humorous take, as well; a plateau is described as A form fated to be elevated. Garcia's digitally enhanced mixed-media artwork beautifully supports and extends the text. Two stanzas of Desert fill camel-shaped humps of sand while the words of the last line (But every now and then an oasis!!!) boldly decorate a palm tree and spring. She employs a wide color palette, although earth tones, blues, and greens predominate. Back matter includes additional information, glossary, and resources, making this a welcome addition to science or poetry units. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.