Bound To Stay Bound

Other - 05/19/2025 Twining the fantasy of an unfettered childhood adventure with the majestic reality of an ancient redwood forest, Fleming (Rock That Vote) and Groenink (Whales in the City) offer an outdoors variation on a classic children’s rhyme: "This is the forest./ This is the steeple./ Giants and saplings/ and just a few people." As intrepid young hikers, portrayed with various skin tones, set off, the book orients vertically across the spreads to portray towering trees looming far above. Across gently textured digital illustrations, striking bird’s- and worm’s-eye perspectives follow the kids walking in cool, green shadows, marveling at dappled sunlight, and losing socks in a creek. When the kids emerge from a tunnel into a sun-drenched meadow, the book’s orientation turns horizontal, adding to a sense of "the great open wide." With the setting of the sun, the children wave goodbye to what they consider "a forest of friends," and one youth even ardently embraces a redwood. It all reads as an expression of hope that curiosity and wonder can transform into stewardship and care. Ages 4-8. Agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Jr./Folio Literary. (Aug.) - Copyright 2025

School Library Journal - 09/01/2025 PreS-Gr 1—This delectable picture book takes its inspiration from the "Here is the church" nursery rhyme and expands upon it wonderfully. Lapsitters or readers follow a group of children as they navigate through a forest, encountering trails and animals inspired to create games (a game of hopscotch using rocks is a personal favorite). The overwhelming joy of these children as they explore is contagious, supported by truly beautiful illustrations. With soft hues and various points of view, the illustrations bring readers even more deeply into the book. One of the truly show-stopping pages features a little boy looking up at the trees above him with the sun peeking through the trees. VERDICT This love letter to the great outdoors is one that every library should have in their collection.—Maria Graybosch - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.