Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/01/2022 Gr 1–4—Curiosity can lead to some interesting places. Cross Beckerman shares her curiosity for caves and opens up her discoveries of what's hiding in those dark places with young readers. Big, beautiful, and colorful artwork showcases cave systems around the globe, such as the Lascaux Cave in France and its ancient drawings, the Glowworm Grotto of Waitomo Caves in New Zealand, and the massive bat colony of Bracken Cave in Texas. The book invites young readers to explore—safely—the wonder of caves, while also introducing future spelunkers to the rules and equipment of exploring. Over the book's 40 pages, the text vacillates between carefully styled, almost lyrical prose and informative blocks of text. Such a reading is an exciting way to engage with the rhythm of the story, but also there is an opportunity to craft a particular takeaway of the book: an artful cave-reading experience or an information-focused track. VERDICT Whether for pleasure or for research, this is a wonderful book to get lost in.—Jessica Schriver - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

School Library Journal - 09/01/2022 - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

School Library Journal - 09/01/2022 - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 11/01/2022 A compelling combination of lyrical, mysterious text and illustrated scenes featuring a spelunking family draws readers into a variety of caves around the world, from the crystal-filled Cueva de los Cristales in Mexico to the Wakulla–Leon Sinks underwater cave system in Florida to the Undara lava tubes in Australia. Once the family is at the edge of or deep inside a cave, text in a larger font—“Do you dare?” “Cannonball!” “High five!”—announces a surprise. Descriptive paragraphs provide more information about each type of cave and its special features or historical significance, such as the Waitomo Caves in New Zealand, where the only light comes from bioluminescent glowworms on the ceiling, and the Rising Star cave system in South Africa, where 1,800 fossils of a previously unknown, early relation to humans were discovered. The accompanying digitally created artwork lends a visceral experience to the reading. Similar to a real cave exploration, scant light from the entrance or headlamps seemingly casts a faint glow amid the mostly dark, textured backdrops, making this high-interest topic even more appealing. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.

Booklist - 11/01/2022 A compelling combination of lyrical, mysterious text and illustrated scenes featuring a spelunking family draws readers into a variety of caves around the world, from the crystal-filled Cueva de los Cristales in Mexico to the Wakulla–Leon Sinks underwater cave system in Florida to the Undara lava tubes in Australia. Once the family is at the edge of or deep inside a cave, text in a larger font—“Do you dare?” “Cannonball!” “High five!”—announces a surprise. Descriptive paragraphs provide more information about each type of cave and its special features or historical significance, such as the Waitomo Caves in New Zealand, where the only light comes from bioluminescent glowworms on the ceiling, and the Rising Star cave system in South Africa, where 1,800 fossils of a previously unknown, early relation to humans were discovered. The accompanying digitally created artwork lends a visceral experience to the reading. Similar to a real cave exploration, scant light from the entrance or headlamps seemingly casts a faint glow amid the mostly dark, textured backdrops, making this high-interest topic even more appealing. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.