Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 05/01/2024 *Starred Review* Readers are cordially invited to a concert of astonishing variety and beauty, with encore performances happening daily: beautiful birdsongs by local artists! As day breaks, a robin breaks the silence with a poodle-hoo, and soon others join in. Mourning doves coo, a tiny Carolina wren serves up a shockingly noisy refrain, and a chickadee croons its own name. A break in the ballad is cleverly provided by a silent, serious hawk observing the proceedings from a powerline, seeking an easy snack. The quiet doesn’t last long, as anxious crows clock the threat and chase it off with a cawing cacophony. Sunset brings the soft hoots of owls, while a mimicking mockingbird imitates several of the previous performers in the middle of the night. Another dawn sees the avian ensemble gather to greet the day and blend their calls into one delightful din. The unconventional story is told entirely through birdsong, offering a glimpse of a day through their eyes (and our ears). Readers will delight in sounding out the creatively conceptualized chirps and squawks, and a hilarious concluding cast list offers identification of the noisy neighbors. Dazzling collaged illustrations are a glorious mishmash of bright colors and varied textures, capturing the exuberance of the noisy birds and the ever-shifting glow of daylight. Gather the flock and revel in a rambunctious read-aloud with new fabulous feathered friends. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.