Joan in the Cone

Joan’s life is wonderful, wild, and grand—running and playing as much as she can! Days full of fun, where she’s never alone. And then… came… the cone.

For fans of Grumpy Monkey and The Pout-Pout Fish, this delightful picture book follows Joan the dog as she navigates life’s unexpected challenges with humor and heart. When an injury lands her in the dreaded cone of shame, Joan’s world turns upside down. She gets stuck in the doggy door. Her once-commanding presence at the dog park? Gone. Her dignity? Well, let’s just say certain choices were made.

Through laugh-out-loud mishaps and genuine moments of vulnerability, Joan reflects on her pre-cone glory days while slowly discovering that life—and love—exists beyond the rim. And hey, it turns out the cone makes a pretty great popcorn bowl.

Praised by critics and readers alike: Booklist calls it “perfect for fans of Doug Salati’s Hot Dog,” while Kirkus describes it as “dynamic, expressive, and funny.” School Library Journal recommends it as “a perfect read-aloud for children, especially [to teach] resilience and acceptance.”

This charming story transforms a familiar pet predicament into a celebration of resilience, adaptation, and finding joy in unexpected places. Whether you’re navigating your own metaphorical cone or just love a good dog story, Joan’s journey will have the whole family laughing—and maybe seeing life’s little inconveniences in a whole new light.

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