Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/28/2025 PreS-Gr 1—Hugo the narwhal starts kindergarten but has a hard time because of his tusk. As Hugo's parents wave goodbye, he heads to the school bus for his first day as a kindergartner. When he gets to school, his tusk collides with the school crossing guard. As Hugo participates in class, recess, and other school activities, he observes that his tusk is constantly getting in the way. It cannot fit in the Silly Hat Day hat and ends up popping the welcome balloons in the classroom. Hugo begins to doubt that he will ever fit in, when he notices that other animals are having a hard time as well. All the animals decide to help one another out whatever their challenge, and in the end all are able to participate in class activities and recess. The uniqueness of Hugo will be relatable to children who may feel out of place or do not think they fit in with others, and the animals working together shows readers the wonderful use of collaboration. However, the illustrations and the placement of the text, along with the font, are not accessible enough for a book that is marketed for a younger audience. Too many bright colors splashed across the pages along with the text make it seem too busy and not cohesive. VERDICT Pass on this book.—Annmarie Braithwaite - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Other - 04/28/2025 A narwhal named Hugo navigates classroom life with a "BIG, TALL" tusk in Roeder’s lightly comedic animal story. Friendly multimedia vignettes show the challenge not only of boarding a bus but also of crossing a crosswalk and trying on a silly hat. The tusk occasionally proves an asset, as when Hugo uses it as a pointer, but it more often "burst big moments," including welcome-day balloons. The narwhal’s hapless attempts to "tame his troublesome tusk" are to no avail-until a baseball game reveals that Hugo isn’t the only creature struggling to find accommodation (a snake, for example, finds it difficult to catch). By the end of school’s first week, Hugo still runs into "tusk troubles," but he also has friends to help him navigate them-leading to an easygoing conclusion that emphasizes themes of community support. Ages 3-7. (July) - Copyright 2025