Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 09/01/2025 *Starred Review* This charming picture book follows a little girl playing inside her home. As she does things like balance on a chair or ironing board, draw, cut out shapes, messily bake, and knock over a houseplant, she both acts out different emotions and reacts emotionally (as in feeling terrible after toppling the plant). By following one expressive girl through wonderfully evocative art, this story celebrates both imaginative play and openness to all kinds of emotions. At the start of each section, the girl announces what she’s pretending to be (“Some days I’m the sun”; “Some days I’m the sea”). She energetically represents elements of each, blowing hard like a cyclone, frowning mightily to mimic the sun’s glare, and playing pirate on a tumultuous sea. Illustrator Mirtalipova, who specializes in the Russian folk-art tradition of decorative flourishes and bold primary colors, uses gouache and hand-drawn and hand-painted scenes that wonderfully fit the girl’s imaginative bursts. The use of everyday objects—like a pile of laundry to represent hills—is a terrific way to show readers what imagination can do. The reassuring conclusion is that the girl’s emotions may change quite a bit, “but all days, I’m me.” - Copyright 2025 Booklist.