Noodle and the No Bones Day

by Jonathan Graziano, Dan Tavis (Illustrator)

Overview

An instant #1 New York Times bestseller!

From the creator of the viral “Bones or No Bones” TikTok videos comes a sweet and entertaining picture book following Noodle the pug and his human as they navigate Noodle’s first No Bones Day—a day for being kind to yourself!

Noodle is a sweet, silly old pug who enjoys doing all his favorite activities with his favorite human, Jonathan. But one day when Jonathan goes to take Noodle on his morning walk, he finds Noodle still comfortable in bed. When Jonathan lifts Noodle up, Noodle just flops over. It’s almost like Noodle woke up without any bones!

Noodle isn’t sick or sad—but he also isn’t interested in going for walks or sitting outside (he will accept snacks, though). Today, all he needs are extra snuggles and belly rubs. Jonathan soon learns that not every day can be a Bones Day, and sometimes a No Bones Day is exactly what you need to get through the week.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781665927109
Publisher:	Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication date:	06/07/2022
Series:	Noodle and Jonathan , #1
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	3,720
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD510L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jonathan Graziano is a Rochester native who currently resides in New York City. His eternal muse, Noodle, continues to inspire him each and every day. It is Jonathan’s hope that through this story he can continue Noodle’s legacy of spreading joy and kindness and encourage others to adopt and/or rescue a senior pet next time they're looking to add a new member to their family. You can find Jonathan on TikTok at @JonGraz.

Dan Tavis is illustrator living in New Hampshire. He has been doodling ever since his first math class in elementary school! He is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Noodle and the No Bones Day, Common Critters, and Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion, among other projects. Learn more at DanTavis.com.

Editorial Reviews

04/25/2022

Graziano’s wildly popular “Bones or No Bones” TikTok account has struck a chord with an over-scheduled public, and these pages—his picture book debut—provide the titular phrase’s origin story. Noodle, a “silly, stubborn, sweet old pug who leads a very busy life,” thoroughly enjoys N.Y.C. walks with pink-skinned human Jonathan, friendly barking at passersby, and snacks out of his noodle-pattern bowl (“More chicken, please”). But one day, as Tavis’s (Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion) reportorial, digitally painted art chronicles, Noodle doesn’t have his usual get-up-and-go. When Jonathan tries to leash Noodle up for a walk, the pooch collapses into his fluffy bed as if “he doesn’t have bones!” Noodle isn’t sick, hungry (well, not much), or sad; he just (as he communicates through sneezes) wants a day of canine self-care. So Jonathan enjoys a “no bones” day, too, and decides that henceforth, the duo will take days one at a time, achieving a better balance between big-city carpe diem and kicking back at home. For readers of all ages needing a little recharge affirmation, Noodles’ “bones”—or lack thereof—will be a balm. An author’s note concludes. Ages 4–8. (June)

Publishers Weekly

2022-05-11
Graziano tells the story of his TikTok-famous pug, Noodle.

Noodle is a silly, stubborn old pug who likes walks and snacks. “He’s a pug who knows what he wants.” Jonathan, his light-skinned owner, loves taking Noodle for walks and sharing snacks—they are a perfect pair. But one day, when it’s time for a walk, Noodle just lies in his dog bed. Even when Jonathan tries to make Noodle sit up, Noodle flops back down. “It’s like he doesn’t have bones!” says Jonathan. Noodle doesn’t seem sick—he just wants snacks and to stay in bed. Finally, Jonathan asks if Noodle would just like to snuggle instead and receives a strong affirmative from the drowsy pug. Together Noodle and his human enjoy a relaxing “no bones day” and learn an important lesson about rest and why it matters for silly, stubborn old pugs and for the humans who love them, too. Many may already be familiar with Noodle through his TikTok videos (if Noodle remains standing when Graziano lifts him, it’s a “bones day”; among Noodle’s followers, a “no bones day” has come to mean a day for self-care and taking it easy). However, this story stands alone and will likely create new fans for a long time to come. Hand-drawn and painted digitally, Tavis’ illustrations rely on a muted palette and rounded images, depicting an appropriately cozy world. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A perfect story to enjoy on a “no bones day.” (author's note) (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews