Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 07/01/2024 Once there was a man who loved his tidy home, but he did not like animals at all. When a cat moved in with him, the man ordered it to leave, but the cat stayed, and the man discovered that they both enjoyed naps and dinnertime. He still didn’t like cats, but he liked this cat (and its friends, who joined them). When a dog moved in (soon followed by its canine friends), the man readjusted again. The ducks arrived next, followed by chickens, goats, pigs, and cows. The man’s neighbors became cranky. Too softhearted to evict the animals, old Mr. MacDonald (for, of course, that was his name) moved with them to his new farm, where they were wildly, loudly happy, singing, “Ee I Ee I O!” Underwood offers a quietly beguiling tale of a grumpy old fellow who finds happiness where he least expects it. The understated, heartening narrative leaves room for the illustrations to work their magic, amusing kids with large absurdities and small details. Great fun for sharing at story time. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.