Synopsis of "Milton Makes A Move" by Jonathan Graziano:
From Jonathan Graziano, creator of the viral "Bones or No Bones" TikTok phenomenon and the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book Noodle and the No Bones Day, comes a heartwarming new story inspired by Milton, Jonathan's beloved adopted pug.
Milton is a curious little pug with a big love for adventure—especially when it involves tasty treats, interesting smells, and playing with his dog friends. He's heard stories about dogs finding their forever families, but that kind of adventure feels a little too big for him.
When Milton learns it's finally his turn to go to a forever home, he packs his tiny suitcase (favorite stuffed toy included) and sets off, determined to be brave. What he doesn't expect is that his new human, Jonathan, is feeling just as nervous. Together, Milton and Jonathan discover that the bravest thing of all is opening your heart to new experiences, new friendships, and the love that makes a house feel like home.
Jonathan Graziano, a Rochester native, lives in New York City. Inspired every day by his beloved pug, Noodle, Jonathan hopes to carry on Noodle's legacy of spreading joy, kindness, and compassion through his stories. He also hopes to inspire readers to consider adopting or rescuing a senior pet when they're ready to welcome a new member into their family. You can find Jonathan on TikTok at @JonGraz.
1. If you have to describe Milton using three words, it would be…
Sweet, Silly, Curious!
2. What inspired you to tell Milton’s story and explore his journey to a forever home?
I couldn't stop thinking about how brave this little dog had to be to go through all he had to to get to me. He's a rescue from Korea, so not only got a new place to live in a short amount of time, but he had to travel on an airplane! I was so inspired by his ability to bounce back from all that and become a silly dog, I thought for sure someone reading a story about this would be able to identify with it.
3. How much of Milton’s personality in the book comes from the real Milton?
Book Milton is a perfect mirror to real Milton! His silly personality and way of navigating the world are too fun to watch to not include in the book.
4. Why was Milton’s adoption story the right one to share with young readers?
Change is so hard! It doesn't matter how old you are, change is inevitable and sometimes really terrible. I wanted to tell a story about change that addressed all the feelings that can come with it, but ultimately ends up being "worth" enduring.
5. What do you hope children and families take away from Milton’s experience?
Kids go through so much change, maybe if they see Milton is okay after the changes he went through, they will be to.
6. Was there a specific moment with Milton that made you think, “This needs to become a book”?
The moment I met him I knew he needed to be immortalized in print!
7. What is something about Milton that readers might be surprised to learn?
Milton is an incredibly picky eater. I've never met a Pug who turned his nose up at peanut butter before!
8. Your “Bones or No Bones” videos turned Milton’s predecessor Noodle into an internet sensation. How has that experience shaped the way you tell stories?
I have a lot more awareness of the impact of what I / other share on social. Bones or No Bones genuinely and truly helped people through an incredibly difficult time, so I take these stories (even children's books!) seriously.
9. What surprised you most about the way people connected with Noodle and Milton?
Honestly? Nothing! I instantly became obsessed with both of these dogs...it does not surprise me in the least others are as well!
10. How is writing a picture book different from creating a short viral video?
The permanence of a book is much more stressful than a video. You can take a video down and redo it, but you can't unpublish a book. I like to be pretty fast and loose with my content creation strategy, and writing a book was an experience in diligence and discipline.
11. Did the story change much from the first draft to the final version?
Barely at all! The story wrote itself, really.
12. Were there any parts of the story that didn’t make the final cut? Why were they removed?
None of the actual plot points in the story were removed from the draft, but I am an incredibly wordy person, and writing for kids is difficult! It's amazing how much thought goes into which word to use as far as thinking "is this a word they're ready to learn yet"? My editors are heroes.
13. If “Milton Makes a Move” gets adapted into a film or series, what scene are you looking forward to seeing on the screen?
The part where I picked him up from the cargo hold 15 minutes past JFK airport after his 17 hour flight and we can't get cell service to call an Uber home. It then began to rain!!
14. What would Milton pack in his tiny suitcase if he were moving today?
Fabulous question. Milton would pack a rotisserie chicken, some watermelon, a pillow (12"x12"), his .2% cyclosporine eyedrops, and my home's central air conditioning system (assuming his tiny suitcase follows Mary Poppins rules)
15. What is Milton’s favorite snack, activity, or silly habit?
Milton goes nuts for watermelon, which is a thrill because of how hydrating it is. His silliest habit is that before he gets officially "comfortable", he has let out a big sigh and kick out his back leg. He usually kicks me with it!
16. If Milton could give advice to kids facing a big change, what would he say?
That it's okay to be scared and that most people get scared when facing a big change. But they've faced change before and can do it again!
17. If you could read this book to any person (living or dead), who would it be?
Her name was Joanne and she was one of my mom's best friends.
18. We often see the polished result on social media. What is one "behind-the-scenes" struggle you faced while working on this project that you’re finally ready to laugh about?
In the page where Milton and I are hiding from the storm, I obsessed about Milton's head size in comparison to mine. It's a children's book, Jonathan! Shut up!
19. Can readers expect more adventures featuring Milton in the future?
I sincerely hope so. I have so much more to share about him!
20. Last question, in one word how would you sum up your experience writing “Milton Makes a Move” and releasing it to the world?
Empowering
Sweet, Silly, Curious!
2. What inspired you to tell Milton’s story and explore his journey to a forever home?
I couldn't stop thinking about how brave this little dog had to be to go through all he had to to get to me. He's a rescue from Korea, so not only got a new place to live in a short amount of time, but he had to travel on an airplane! I was so inspired by his ability to bounce back from all that and become a silly dog, I thought for sure someone reading a story about this would be able to identify with it.
3. How much of Milton’s personality in the book comes from the real Milton?
Book Milton is a perfect mirror to real Milton! His silly personality and way of navigating the world are too fun to watch to not include in the book.
4. Why was Milton’s adoption story the right one to share with young readers?
Change is so hard! It doesn't matter how old you are, change is inevitable and sometimes really terrible. I wanted to tell a story about change that addressed all the feelings that can come with it, but ultimately ends up being "worth" enduring.
5. What do you hope children and families take away from Milton’s experience?
Kids go through so much change, maybe if they see Milton is okay after the changes he went through, they will be to.
6. Was there a specific moment with Milton that made you think, “This needs to become a book”?
The moment I met him I knew he needed to be immortalized in print!
7. What is something about Milton that readers might be surprised to learn?
Milton is an incredibly picky eater. I've never met a Pug who turned his nose up at peanut butter before!
8. Your “Bones or No Bones” videos turned Milton’s predecessor Noodle into an internet sensation. How has that experience shaped the way you tell stories?
I have a lot more awareness of the impact of what I / other share on social. Bones or No Bones genuinely and truly helped people through an incredibly difficult time, so I take these stories (even children's books!) seriously.
9. What surprised you most about the way people connected with Noodle and Milton?
Honestly? Nothing! I instantly became obsessed with both of these dogs...it does not surprise me in the least others are as well!
10. How is writing a picture book different from creating a short viral video?
The permanence of a book is much more stressful than a video. You can take a video down and redo it, but you can't unpublish a book. I like to be pretty fast and loose with my content creation strategy, and writing a book was an experience in diligence and discipline.
11. Did the story change much from the first draft to the final version?
Barely at all! The story wrote itself, really.
12. Were there any parts of the story that didn’t make the final cut? Why were they removed?
None of the actual plot points in the story were removed from the draft, but I am an incredibly wordy person, and writing for kids is difficult! It's amazing how much thought goes into which word to use as far as thinking "is this a word they're ready to learn yet"? My editors are heroes.
13. If “Milton Makes a Move” gets adapted into a film or series, what scene are you looking forward to seeing on the screen?
The part where I picked him up from the cargo hold 15 minutes past JFK airport after his 17 hour flight and we can't get cell service to call an Uber home. It then began to rain!!
14. What would Milton pack in his tiny suitcase if he were moving today?
Fabulous question. Milton would pack a rotisserie chicken, some watermelon, a pillow (12"x12"), his .2% cyclosporine eyedrops, and my home's central air conditioning system (assuming his tiny suitcase follows Mary Poppins rules)
15. What is Milton’s favorite snack, activity, or silly habit?
Milton goes nuts for watermelon, which is a thrill because of how hydrating it is. His silliest habit is that before he gets officially "comfortable", he has let out a big sigh and kick out his back leg. He usually kicks me with it!
16. If Milton could give advice to kids facing a big change, what would he say?
That it's okay to be scared and that most people get scared when facing a big change. But they've faced change before and can do it again!
17. If you could read this book to any person (living or dead), who would it be?
Her name was Joanne and she was one of my mom's best friends.
18. We often see the polished result on social media. What is one "behind-the-scenes" struggle you faced while working on this project that you’re finally ready to laugh about?
In the page where Milton and I are hiding from the storm, I obsessed about Milton's head size in comparison to mine. It's a children's book, Jonathan! Shut up!
19. Can readers expect more adventures featuring Milton in the future?
I sincerely hope so. I have so much more to share about him!
20. Last question, in one word how would you sum up your experience writing “Milton Makes a Move” and releasing it to the world?
Empowering
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