Review by Booklist Review
Joan can remember the glorious days she spent chasing a squirrel or eating a pot roast right off the floor. But she's sure those days are all behind her, because now, she's in a cone. Now her days are full of embarrassment and pain as she remembers the mishap that led to the cone, and none of what made life joyful will ever be a part of her life again. At least, that's what she thinks, until she recovers the first in a long series of toys and objects she'd squirreled away, and returning it to her owner brings some of that joy back. Joan in the Cone takes the classic silly sight gag of a dog trapped in a veterinarian's cone and turns it into a reflection on the importance of remembering good days to help make it through bad ones and how bad days can help you appreciate the good. Perfect for fans of Doug Salati's Hot Dog (2022), this will speak to young readers no matter what kind of day they're having.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--In this adorably illustrated story of highs and lows, Joan the dog is reminiscing on the good days when everything went her way; she now must wear a cone, and nothing is working out. Joan takes readers through some great days that included finding hidden bones, catching every ball or Frisbee, or eating a fallen pot roast off the floor. In comparison, readers also see the bad days when Joan's cone gets stuck in a door or her dog friends stare and laugh. Through her memories, Joan shares what caused her injury, her experience at the vet, her recovery, and, eventually, her journey to feeling better. This book provides relatable ways for children to experience emotional highs and lows, consequences, convalescence, and the physical and emotional journey of healing. VERDICT A perfect read-aloud for children, especially in cases where teaching resilience and acceptance are needed.--Kasey Swords
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
"Some days you find every last hidden bone! / And some days you're stuck in the cone." A philosophical streak runs through this tale, written in second person and centered on Joan, a happy-go-lucky, floppy-eared brown pup with a spot on one eye. Most days the pooch plays with Louise (Joan's young owner) or the cat or a group of other dogs who meet in the park. Most days are great fun…but one day, Joan sees "a glorious thing" up on a table: Louise's birthday cake. The pup climbs on a chair to get closer. Yum! It's the best taste ever. Joan's practically floating on air--until the little dog falls. Outfitted in a cast and a cone, Joan's sure that "the good days are through." But an unexpected discovery in the toy bin perks Joan up--a rubber ducky stolen from Louise ages ago. Louise is thrilled when Joan returns the toy, so Joan digs up plenty of other treasures that once belonged to other members of the household, returns them all, and feels much better. "Some days are wonderful--in a NEW way, / With new tricks to try, / And new games to play." This rhyming tale zeroes in on delightful details that will be familiar to any dog lover, though youngsters will find many parallels to their own lives. Tahboub's digitally created illustrations are dynamic, expressive, and funny. Joan's family is light-skinned. An appealing puppy-centric parable.(Picture book. 3-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
