Milton Makes a Move by Jonathan Graziano

Today's read comes from a TikTok influencer that I've never heard of, but considering I'm not on TikTok, that's not really surprising. Mr. Jonathan Graziano is known for his 'Bones or No Bones' videos. Maybe, you've watched them? I just found the dog on this cover cute. My own kids have always expressed a desire to own a pug, but we pick our pets up at the shelter, and pugs haven't been in the mix. 

I'm curious to see what this adorable pup is up to, so let's take a peek! 

MILTON MAKES A MOVE

by Jonathan Graziano

Illustrated by Dan Tavis

Margaret K McElderry Books

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING AUGUST 4th!!!

From Jonathan Graziano, the creator of the viral “Bones or No Bones” TikTok videos and the instant #1 New York Times bestselling Noodle and the No Bones Day, comes a charming and heartfelt picture book following Milton the pug, Jonathan’s newly adopted dog, as he makes a brave move to his forever home!

Milton is a curious little pug who loves adventure—especially when it involves snacks, stinky smells, and playing with his dog friends. He’s heard that some dogs go off to live with forever families… but that kind of adventure feels a little too big for Milton.

So when Milton finds out he’s moving to a new home of his own, he packs his tiny suitcase (stuffed toy included) and does his best to be brave. He's surprised to find that his new human friend, Jonathan, seems nervous too! But as Milton settles into his new home, he and Jonathan will learn that being brave means giving new things, and new friends, a chance.

GOODREADS     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Moving into a new home can be stressful, but this dog has it covered.

Milton enjoys playing with the other dogs at his home, but then, he learns that he's being moved to a family all of his own. He packs his little suitcase, nervous that the new home won't have his favorite treats, smells, or friendship. When he meets his owner, everything appears to be good. There's even treats and smells he enjoys. Still, there are all sorts of new things, too, and he's not sure he's brave enough to discover them.

Milton is an adorable pug with a very playful personality. The book begins with all sorts of dogs, having fun, running around, and playing together. So, everything starts off with energetic positivity. The move to the new home holds a bit of uncertainty, but watching Milton pack his bag keeps a light dab of fantasy and fun. There's tons of goodness as Milton meets his new owner and the two learn to live together. Each situation carries a little hesitation, which is met with encouragement and understanding. Still, it never grows overly serious as Milton faces silly situations and makes sure there's never a boring moment.

The text  runs smoothly to create a lovely read-aloud. While this side makes sure readers know what's going on, the illustrations carry quite a bit of the tale, too. Even those readers, who aren't sure of their words, can grab this one up on their own and follow the scenes. Plus, there are fun aspects to draw giggles and smiles, too.

It's a cute read with a very fun pup, and listeners/readers will be wishing Milton lived in their family, too.

And here they are...

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.

Fluffy McWhiskers: Crunchazaur Kaboom by Stephen W Martin

Today's read promises tons of smiles and even more  cuteness. How do I know that? Because I have already reviewed the first book in the series here  a few years ago. I'm not sure what the dinosaur character on the front will have to do with overloaded cuteness caused by Fluffy, but we'll find out.

So, get ready to smile because I have a feeling that this book is anything but serious.

FLUFFY MCWHISKERS

CRUNCHAZAUR KABOOM

by Stephen W. Martin

Illustrated by Dan Tavis

Margaret K. McElderry Books

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING JUNE 10th!!!

Fluffy and Potato use their cuteness powers to battle an insatiable kaiju monster threatening the city in this adorable and hilarious sequel to Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion.

Crunchazaur is hungry. Really, really hungry. In fact, he can’t seem to stop eating everyone he sees. When it looks like everyone in the city might be gobbled up by the kaiju monster, Fluffy McWhiskers and Potato are called to put an end to Crunchazaur’s destruction.

And while Fluffy doesn’t normally want to hurt anybody with her cuteness explosions, the other attempts by her and Potato to satiate the monster don’t even make a dent. Could the only way to stop the starving Crunchazaur be making him go KABOOM?

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Super cuteness meets silliness and a hint of danger to draw giggles, laughs, 'Aw's, and even a gasp or two.

Crunchazaur emerges from the water and is hungry. The giant dinosaur-like monster loves to eat everything, especially the residents of the town. Total destruction is unavoidable unless Fluffy and Potato come to the rescue. But they're off on an island, enjoying life. Plus, if they take on the task of saving the world, it means they need to bring their cuteness to ultra-dangerously levels in order to make Curnchazaur explode. But they don't really want to do that because that's not really a nice thing to do. Add that such cuteness levels will cause other issues, and a ridiculous, fun adventure is unavoidable.

This book follows Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion, and while it can be read alone (and will cause giggles galore), it is more understandable after reading the first book.

It's never said why Crunchazaur comes out of the water hungry...it's as if everyone knows he's been there...but then, this is a super fun read with quirky, ridiculous twists the entire way through. The illustrations stay rounded and friendly with bright colors, while Crunchazaur tears through the town and consumes everything and everyone in his path. For more sensitive readers, this might be a bit much. While there isn't any visual gobbling (nothing gory in the slightest), the friendly town animals hang in the air near his open jaws to make it clear what's happening. This same not-so-direct-destruction also hits with the explosions caused by cuteness-extreme. It's clear the surrounding characters are 'gone' but not directly shown where they went or what happened. It stays age appropriate, especially at the end when the eaten animals meet a happy ending, to keep everything in the positive light. 

There are more than a few funny moments, which the illustrations enhance along with the little speech bubbles of various town animals' comments. So giggles and laughs are guaranteed. But then, this is a tale of nonsense to simply have fun with and it does that very well. 

Readers, who love superheroes, silliness, and tense moments, will enjoy this quite a bit.

And here they are...

Stephen W. Martin is a writer on Netflix’s Emmy-nominated Trash Truck along with Frederator’s Bravest Warriors. Stephen is also the author of several picture books, including Charlotte and the Rock, Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion, and I Can’t Draw. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and dog. Visit him at Stephen-W-Martin.com.

 

Dan Tavis is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Noodle and the No Bones Day, Noodle Conquers Comfy Mountain, and Common Critters, among others. He lives in New Hampshire and has been doodling ever since his first math class in elementary school. Learn more at DanTavis.com.

 

Review: Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion by Stephen W. Martin

 As promised, I have a second book today...and this one is an explosion of cuteness! The second I read the title and surmise, I had to get my hands on this one. After all, can a person ever have too much cuteness???

Read further and find out!

FLUFFY MCWHISKERS CUTENESS EXPLOSION

by Stephen W. Martin

Illustrated by Dan Tavis

Margaret K McElderry Books

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

NOVEMBER 2nd!!!

Friendship is hard for Fluffy, a kitten so precious that anyone who looks at her explodes!

Meet Fluffy—an adorable kitten. So adorable, in fact, that anyone who sees her will spontaneously explode into balls of sparkles and fireworks. KABOOM! Poof.

Poor Fluffy doesn’t want anyone to get hurt, but everything she tries, even a bad haircut, just makes her cuter! So Fluffy runs away someplace no one can find her. Find out if there’s any hope for Fluffy in this funny and subversive story about self-acceptance and finding friendship in unlikely places.

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MY TIDBITS

I'll admit. The idea of creatures exploding does sound rather violent and dismal, but that's a concern to quickly shove aside. This is a quirky, fun, and super cute tale about friendship and learning to like ones self...it's just told in a very different an unexpected way. 

Fluffy is super, amazingly, adorably cute and has a very fitting name. She kind, sweet and friendly, but nobody ever gets that far with her, since they take one glance in her direction and explode into sparkle and fireworks. Very pretty and dynamic but horrible on the friendship end.

A fuzzy ball of fluffiness best describes Fluffy, but it's the reaction others have to her that will make younger readers surprised, giggle and smile...maybe with a bit of raised eyebrows, but laughter is hard to keep in. If Fluffy took joy in this, the tale, obviously, wouldn't work, but in this story, poor Fluffy really isn't okay with this but has no idea how to stop it. She really feels bad about it, wishes it would stop, and takes huge steps to change the situation, which make it pull at the heart strings even more.

It's easy to connect with Fluffy, especially since she really is kind and sweet. But what I really enjoy is that it shows that being marked as 'super' or 'cute' or 'great' doesn't always mean that a person will find great friends. True friendship doesn't work that way, and this tale is a clever, cute way to address that...while building in more than a few funny moments.

And here they are...

Stephen W. Martin is a writer on Frederator’s Bravest Warriors and the writer and director of many acclaimed short films. Stephen is also the author of several picture books, including Charlotte and the Rock and Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion. He currently works as a story editor in film and comic books and lives with his wife in Los Angeles. Visit him at Stephen-W-Martin.com. 

Dan Tavis is illustrator living in New Hampshire. He has been doodling ever since his first math class in elementary school! He is the illustrator of Common Critters and Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion, among other projects. Learn more at DanTavis.com.