Noodle and the No Bones Day

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)