Noodle conquers Comfy Mountain

PreS-Gr 3--As in Noodle and the No Bones Day, this humorous tale focuses on the cozy routine of an old pug, Noodle, and his loving human, Jonathan. Noodle is looking forward to a low-stress day, which the pair likes to call a "no bones day," when he discovers that he cannot get comfortable. His blanket has been washed, and he is out of snacks. Also, he likes to always keep an eye on Jonathan, so he decides to climb "Comfy Mountain," which is the back of the sofa. He needs help to attain this summit, but once Jonathan lifts him up he declares that "doing things by yourself is great, but doing them together is even better." Text and hand-drawn, digitally colored illustrations convey Noodle's perspective, with his struggles exaggerated to comically epic proportions. Along with Noodle's silly bark, which sounds like a squawk, this has potential for a fun, dog-themed story time. VERDICT Told with warmhearted humor, this book highlighting the joys of compassion and caring for an older dog should find a receptive audience.--Marilyn Taniguchi

Noodle the pug sets his sights on getting to the top of the snuggliest pile of couch blankets. Nowhere seems comfy enough for Noodle, not even his perfectly fluffed bed. He finally spies the ideal spot: Comfy Mountain. Noodle tries to get his little pug legs up onto the couch to reach the mound of blankets, but he can't get to the summit. Finally, he reaches the top thanks to a helping hand from his light-skinned human, Jonathan. This is Graziano's second picture book starring Noodle, his real-life pug who gained a huge social media following for videos reminding viewers of the importance of self-care (if Noodle slumped over after Graziano held him up, it was a "no-bones day," devoted to rest and relaxation). Noodle's perspective is sweet and charming, and readers will relate to the peace that comes from settling in to the perfect cuddle nook. Tavis' soft illustrations depict a wide-eyed, rotund little pup who's impossible not to love. The shimmering golden light that falls on Comfy Mountain is pitch-perfect, as is Noodle's perspective over his human's domain. There's a sweet little dust ball of a spider that hangs out on multiple pages and plenty of other charming touches. The message--that we all need a little help from a pal once in a while--is a familiar but sound one, and what better way to convey it than through a story of (hu)man's best friend? (This book was reviewed digitally.) A cozy, comforting read. (Picture book. 4-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.