Bound To Stay Bound

Other - 06/02/2025 Employing the snappy timing of a top-tier animated short, Tabor (Ursula Upside Down) and Webb, making his traditionally published book debut, launch a series starring a woolly mammoth called Wally. A sledding race is about to begin, but Wally, sporting a bright pink ski sweater, loves sledding purely for enjoyment. When two competitive pals, Wolf and Otto, wax poetic about winning, Wally, arms open, says, "I hope you BOTH win!" Fate intervenes when Wolf and Otto collide and form a massive, growing snowball on the course, giving Wally the lead. ("Hey, Wally," Wolf calls out from within the snowball, "If you win, can I hold the trophy?" Otto adds, "If you win, can I have a cupcake?") Loose, sketchlike digital illustrations with icy-hued fill-ins create a playful, unintimidating atmosphere that welcomes readers into the escalating slapstick action, while speech bubbles remain accessible without sacrificing a single comic beat. Everyone wins in the end-including readers, who will enjoy the light balance of funny friendship story and exhilarating sled ride, plus a promise of further adventures. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) - Copyright 2025

School Library Journal - 09/01/2025 PreS-Gr 1—Wally Mammoth enjoys spending time with his friends Otto the bird and Wolf. On a wintery ice age day, they compete in a sled competition. Wally wants to enjoy himself and be with his friends, but Wolf insists that he wants to win, and Otto also claims the same. Wally tells them he wants them both to win. Shortly after they take off on their sleds, Otto and Wolf end up crashing into each other. Wally is now ahead, and readers may think he is going to win—but he, too, ends up in the rolling cloud of ice along with Otto and Wolf. The three friends end up at the finish line together, where they get to enjoy the trophy. This is a whimsical, silly story of anthropomorphic animal friendship. Otto brings his friends cups of warm drinks as they get ready for the race, and Wolf displays human childlike traits of enjoying hugs and cupcakes. Bright, colorful pictures depict an ice age background, and the characters speak in speech bubbles with a comic-style text font. Tabor adeptly introduces the subject of friends who can still cheer each other on, even though they may be competing. VERDICT A wonderful addition to children's library collections.—Annmarie Braithwaite - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.