Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/19/2025 K-Gr 2—Duncan's crayons have gone missing again, but this time they haven't quit or gotten lost. Instead, they have made new friends! When Duncan receives a fresh stack of cards from his crayons, he learns about the new friendships each crayon has formed. Red Crayon proudly announces they have found Duncan's fire truck and that they are the perfect size to help put out fires. White Crayon confesses that she once felt invisible, and since finding Duncan's checkerboard, now feels seen, at least half the time. A gathering at the end brings all these crayons back together, with their new friends in tow. As with the previous installments, this book features the same humorously styled letters peppered with callbacks to the earlier stories. The childlike drawings continue to add layers of visual humor, delighting fans of the series. Perhaps because readers are now familiar with the premise, this entry may lack some of the original charm and quirky freshness. Despite this, devotees of the series will appreciate the return of their favorite crayon characters and the gentle humor that has made the series so beloved. VERDICT For libraries with an established audience for these popular books, this installment is a worthwhile purchase.—Louie Lauer - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.