Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 05/01/2024 Gr 2–4—The reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park after the animals were hunted almost to the point of extinction is the topic of this intriguing book that combines the story of how the presence or absence of one species can affect an entire ecosystem. From the earliest human inhabitants to the establishment of Yellowstone as the country's first national park in 1872 to modern times, the story follows the effort to first rid the park of wolves, seen as a threat, to the realization that they in fact were important to the delicate balance of both animals and plants. The text, complemented by exceptionally appealing pen and ink illustrations, includes a series of informational panels, a dialogue between a wolf and a coyote who serve as quasi-narrators, and several pages of lyrical rhyming text. Parry makes the complicated subject of a trophic cascade accessible to young readers, though some will find navigating through the many different graphic representations a challenge. Back matter includes a pictorial study of all the animals pictured in the book, a history of wolves in the American west, an artist's note, a glossary, and additional resources. VERDICT A worthy purchase for the animal lovers in the library.—Sue Morgan - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 04/15/2024 *Starred Review* It's pretty amazing how much this charming picture book manages to convey in just over 40 pages. There's a compact history of Yellowstone National Park, told through the evolution of its ecosystem as it transformed during the early twentieth century from a true wilderness to a tourist-friendly theme park. There's an account of the park's wolf population and how farmers and shepherds succeeded in having the predators hunted to extirpation. There are also accessible examples of how the area's food chain was affected and how other plants and animals began to decline. All this information flows effortlessly through brief narrative passages; lyrical rhymes that build through the pages, stanza by stanza, as the rippling effects of the absence of wolves spread farther and farther; and wonderful illustrations, slightly reminiscent of the art of Wanda Gág of Millions of Cats fame. There's also an ongoing conversation between a coyote and a bear as they argue the pros and cons of bringing wolves back to Yellowstone, which finally happened in 1995, leading to a transformation as the ecosystem rediscovered its natural balance. The vintage-looking watercolor and colored-pencil maps and illustrations are delightful, and the text begs to be read aloud. There's also generous back matter for researchers. A truly lovely addition to the Yellowstone wolves canon. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.