Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 10/01/2024 PreS-Gr 3—The cover illustration from this husband-and-wife team glows with the warm green light of banker lamps, illuminating the rodents who appear engrossed in moving and consuming treasured piles of classic-looking tomes. Opening end papers charmingly depict scenes of tension between dyads of animals that may or may not be siblings. Indeed, the problem of the protagonist, proud book-owner and anthropomorphized chipmunk Piper Waterstone, is that she does not yet understand the concept of sharing books and has never visited a library. Illustrations—pencil, watercolor, and digital elements—suggest warm, fuzzy problem-solving is up ahead. But despite their tackling relatable themes, the creative team behind this book has not conveyed the meaning or mechanics of sharing beyond the narrowest contexts. The book uses the notion of magic to explain how sharing works, without clarifying the broader societal benefits of sharing resources, including books. In an earnest effort to introduce youngest readers to the joys and importance of public libraries, and reinforce the inclusive mission and potential of public circulating collections, the book upholds the importance of individual ownership, neglecting the true strengths of sharing. VERDICTA charming introduction to libraries but a missed opportunity for deeper explorations.—Jessica Fenster-Sparber - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 02/01/2025 Piper Waterstone’s books are special. She takes them everywhere she goes and never lends them to anyone. But as her collection grows, it becomes harder and harder to bring all her books with her in her wagon or on her bike. One day, she and her books take a tumble and a kindly, bespectacled mole helps them out of the rain into the public library. Awed and speechless, Piper understands that with a library card, she and everyone around her can have all the books in the world if they are all willing to share. The newest collaboration between the award-winning, husband-and-wife Rocco team is sweet and gentle, packed with the quaint village charm of a Disney film. With the impressive talent of this Caldecott Honoree’s pencil, watercolor, and digital artwork, the anthropomorphic forest creatures that roam the cobbled streets and the elegant library stacks—including our adorable chipmunk protagonist—are as warm and fuzzy as the story’s messaging. Teachers and librarians alike will appreciate this love letter to libraries and literature. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.