Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/29/2023 PreS-Gr 1—"Wind blows/ Tumble goes." Drifting with the desert wind, a lone tumbleweed introduces the plants and animals living in an arid terrain. A collared lizard soaks up the rays of a sultry sun, a roadrunner struts across a desolate highway, and burrowing owls emerge from ground nests. The tumbleweed freely rolls until it is entangled with a prickly pear cactus. Rain drops begin to fall, the tumbleweed anchors its roots, and pinhead-sized pink flowers bloom. Soon the scorching sun beats down on the tumbleweed and the plant dries, curling until the its roots snap and it is once again wandering through the desert. Mirroring the cyclical life of the tumbleweed, the story ends as it begins. Bergstrom's story is told in short, rhyming couplets paired with rich, earthy illustrations. Movement is a prominent theme in this story, evident by wisps of blowing wind and bouncing dashed lines trailing the tumbleweed. This dynamism is emulated through the text's font; ellipses curl up as the wind blows, letters hop when the tumbleweed bounces, words waver in the wind as a cactus sways. Back matter contains a visual index of the desert life seen throughout the story, challenging readers to a game of look-and-find. A section of satisfying facts about tumbleweeds is provided for the questions curious minds are likely to have about this nomadic plant. VERDICT Dusted with a hint of whimsy, this playful primer on desert life is perfect for all libraries.—Emily Brush - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/15/2023 “Wind blows . . . / Tumble goes. / Fence stops. / Tumble hops. / Cactus waves, / Tumble stays.” Using succinct rhymes, Bergstrom follows a lone tumbleweed as it blows across a dry landscape, encountering prickly pear cacti, jackrabbits, and wolves. When rain arrives, Tumble attaches itself to the soil, where it unfurls, sprouting green leaves and pink blossoms that attract ladybugs and dotted skipper butterflies. Then the heat returns, and Tumble folds back up, rolling away in the wind. This simple introduction to an arid ecosystem features richly hued landscapes, clearly depicted flora and fauna, and bold broken lines that convey this weed’s often bouncy path. Earth tones and oranges predominate in the dry-season artwork, while blues, greens, and pinks burst forth on rainy spreads. Backgrounds are uncluttered, allowing the plants and animals to remain a central focus. Appended with an illustrated list of animals and plants portrayed and fun facts about these diaspores, this will be a welcome addition to primary science units. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.