Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 04/01/2024 On the first day of summer, the children who live in a charming seaside-resort town find enjoyable adventures close to home. This breezy and sweet beginning-chapter-book series opener is organized into four acts, introducing the appealing people and places of Seashell Key. Mateo, motivated by his father’s Sky and Sea Shop, launches a high-flying animal kite business and gets a rave review from his first kid customer. Heading to the beach for a picnic, sisters Sasha and Sophia grab some food from their mother’s restaurant but end up making their own special “SANDwich.” Eli, Ezra, and Elana invite tourists into their lighthouse for a tall tale–embellished guided tour. All the characters join together in the concluding act for more fun in the sun. The short, zippy sentences are full of action, pleasing repetition, and personality: “Sophia laughs. Pixie barks. Xena chirps. The sun sets. A salty breeze blows. Whirr, whirr! Look up!” Sunny and warm atmospheric cartoon illustrations capture the slice-of-life summer scenes. Emergent readers will eagerly return to Seashell Key. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.