Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 11/15/2016 At first, this book seems like it might be a yawn. How many good-night stories have begun with “Good-night stories / Good-night songs”? But things take a twist after Mother Bunny doles out the kisses, because the little girl bunny in the calico nightdress demands some good-night dances. Dances! She and her brothers, who skip around a two-page spread, might be ready for bed after more kisses and hugs—but now it’s time for good-night monsters. As Mom checks for monsters, the children turn into jumping beans and then good-night monkeys. Despite a repetition of the rituals, when the children demand good-night tickles, Mom puts her foot down. This is tons of fun, and Berger’s distinctive cut-paper collage art makes the book as much fun for looking as it is for listening. Both the paper work and design have a thoughtful simplicity exactly right for the age group. No soothing bedtime tale is this: read it at pajama-themed storytimes or at home when a child needs to be worn out before catching those zzzzs. - Copyright 2016 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 01/01/2017 PreS—Share the bedtime ritual of a mother rabbit and her three young bunnies. After stories, songs, hugs, and kisses (followed by another hug, of course), each youngster adds something special and unexpected: good-night dances, good-night monsters, good-night jumping beans (limited to three by the wise mother). Mama draws the line at monkeys. Text builds and repeats in different typefaces in varied sizes and is expressively placed to enhance the collage illustrations. Crisp lines of each textured cutout stand out on spreads. The use of open, flatly colored backgrounds augments the rhythm and movement of the text, while the simple forms of the illustrations effectively suggest emotion. Words and illustrations work together seamlessly to present a charming, cumulative, and playful tale. VERDICT Sure to be a "Read it again" bedtime favorite.—Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.