Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 08/30/2024 PreS-Gr 1—Warm watercolors bloom across the pages of this sweet story about Jihun, a student who recently moved to the United States from Korea, as he creatively expresses his love for a dear friend back home and, in doing so, makes a new friend in his class. Tasked by his teacher to write a letter about a best friend, Jihun artistically uses alphabet letters to draw the form of his cat, Otto, who was his best friend in Korea, much to the surprise and, eventually, delight of his seat neighbor, Piper. Delightful memories filter through the pages as Jihun's work progresses, using light lines, pastel hues, and a smooth wash to fill the curving forms. All of these soft, illustrative elements match the even cadence of an introverted yet heartfelt narrative voice, drawing readers into Jihun's quiet uncertainty that then transforms into happiness as his memories unfold and he later forms a newfound connection with Piper. Given Jihun's innovative letter-making choice and Piper's—and the teacher's—acceptance of this form of expression, this book can also serve as an example to students about embracing new students' languages and capabilities without judgement, and inviting new friends to share their personal stories. VERDICT Inspired by the clarity of voice and quietly expressive watercolors, young readers will easily connect with Jihun's melancholy from missing a dear friend and celebrate his joy in expressing that love and finding hope in a budding friendship.—Rachel Mulligan - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 04/15/2024 Jihun, a Korean boy now living in America, feels dismayed by his teacher’s latest in-class writing assignment: write a letter to your best friend. After living here just one month, he has no friends, much less a best friend. Instead, he writes to his best friend in Korea, Oto, a cat! Since Oto doesn’t read English, Jihun draws a picture instead but incorporates English letters into his drawing. An E lying on its side looks like Oto’s front legs. Two upside-down Vs become the cat’s ears. Piper, seated next to Jihun, keeps glancing at his letter and, at recess, asks him for help with drawing. By the end of the day, Jihun has a new best friend—a breakthrough for any child. Jihun’s feeling of isolation is vividly portrayed. An author’s note refers to Choi’s memories of coming to the U.S. for art school and finding that she could write a story in English only if she drew it first. This insightful picture book may inspire empathy for other children learning a new language and culture. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.