Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 04/01/2026 Gr 1–3—Joining forces to deliver the message that oaks are a keystone species hosting many kinds of life, veteran poet Singer offers observations in prose and short verse to accompany debut illustrator Plum's populous but peaceful close-up scenes of a white oak and its many temporary or permanent residents. In answer to the titular question, the collaborators begin with springtime caterpillars of multiple species—chowing down on green leaves and in turn providing food for hungry chickadees. Other creatures follow in succession, from tiny springtails hiding in leaf litter, to blue jays and squirrels claiming the bounty of acorns in two-part harmony, cicadas and katydids emerging to sing in the branches, and finally a mother and a racially diverse set of children sitting amidst golden autumn leaves beneath a tree festooned with wildlife. The tree itself chimes in at the end, before summary closing notes on its most common types and life cycle: "Whose tree am I?/ I protect and I nourish/ my guests. See how we flourish/ when we form a community." VERDICT A warm and informative invitation to appreciate one of our most common street, yard, and forest trees.—John Peters - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.