Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 10/15/2024 Hanina Chipmunk enjoys gathering nuts and sharing them with her friends, most of whom are very appreciative. The exception is Mathilda Squirrel, who is elderly, somewhat disabled, and hungry but too proud to accept charity. Once Hanina understands, she decides to gather nuts at night and give them to Mathilda anonymously so she won’t feel ashamed. What Hanina doesn’t count on, however, is Great Horned Owl, who prowls at night searching for prey. Horowitz’s gentle story (based on an ancient Talmudic tale) explains the concept of a mitzvah (doing a good deed for someone) and the importance of doing it secretly so that the recipient is not embarrassed. Meilihove’s cheerful gouache-and-pencil art portrays friendly forest creatures engaging in pleasant pursuits, such as tea parties and picnics. Even the midnight owl encounter feels relatively safe once Hanina explains her quest. Pinks, greens, and blues predominate, with yellow used for accents. Appended with an author note explaining Hebrew terms and the story’s origin, this will be useful for religious schools and Judaic collections. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.