Joone

by Emily Kate Moon

Joone likes the color orange, ice-cream sandwiches, and playing outside. She lives in a yurt with her grandfather and her pet turtle, Dr. Chin, who rides around on her hat. Grandpa teaches Joone something new every day. Sometimes Joone teaches him something new, too, like how to make a daisy chain. Together they enjoy life’s small joys—sunsets, tree houses, and most of all, each other. Emily Kate Moon’s debut picture book is a charming tribute to the outdoors and a tender portrait of a grandfather and granddaughter’s loving relationship. Fans of Ladybug Girl, Freckleface Strawberry, and even Dora the Explorer will fall in love with this independent, free-spirited little girl.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 13, 2013

About the author

Emily Kate Moon is an award-winning American author and illustrator. Her published works include PUFF: All About Air (Dial Books, 2024), DROP: An Adventure Through the Water Cycle (Dial Books, 2021), and JOONE (Dial Books, 2013).

Her current series, Science Pals, is a new, fun, and engaging way to teach science to kids, ages 4-100. Using simple words and a narrative style, these books explain the basics of water, air, and light. The third book of the series, RAY: How Light Works will be out June 10, 2025.

DROP is a Blue Ribbon Selection of Dolly Parton's Imaginary Library for 2022 and 2023. Over 750,000 copies of DROP have been shipped to families around the world through this program.

JOONE is the winner of the 2014 CLC Book Award for compassion, love, and courage.

For more information about the author, please visit: www.emilykatemoon.com

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

1) A TURTLE IS FEATURED AS A PET!!!

2) A TURTLE IS FEATURED AS A PET!!!!

3) THE TURTLE IS SO CUTE IN HELPING JOONE AND HIS NAME IS DR. CHIN.

4) DID I MENTION THE TURTLE?!

OKay, as a turtle owner---it was just randomly cute turtle illustrations that I had so many feelings for. The rest of the story was just a cute mix of children being children especially when trying to help [for example] "putting grandpa's books in rainbow order"---just a fun story of being a precocious child.~


Still---Dr. Chin turning off her light epic cuteness!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was such a treat to read this book with my five-year-old nieces. They absolutely loved the story and its heroine! I love Joone's spirit and my sister even enjoyed looking over our shoulders as I read to my nieces. A great story and GORGEOUSLY illustrated. I recommend this book as a gift for anyone young kids in your life!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Opening: Every once in awhile, I find a book that I just wish I could live in! Joone, by Emily Kate Moon, is one of those books. The story and pictures are delightful. They make me feel so happy, and I love to play outside and just enjoy nature, much like Joone does. Joone is a 5-year-old girl who lives with her grandfather in their yurt. Does anyone know what a yurt is? If not, the words and pictures will help us figure it out. Do any of you live with a grandparent like Joone does? And who do you think this is? (point to turtle on front cover) That's right, it's a turtle. His name is Dr. Chin, and he is an important character in Joone's life, too. I hope you enjoy this little girl and her family as much as I do. Let's begin.
2. Opening moves: shared a personal connection I have with the text, raise questions to spark curiosity, draw attention to the illustrator's craft (at a kindergarten level), lay the groundwork for diverse setting/people
3. I originally wanted to do a text set about grandparents, but I happened to find 3 wonderful books for young children with grandfathers, specifically. One thing I really like about this text set is its diversity. Joone and her grandfather are Asian, and my other two books feature a hispanic grandfather and grandson, and a caucasian boy and his grandfather. I think young children will really enjoy Joone and her sense of freedom and playfulness in her outdoor environment, and while some children may be familiar with a grandparent in the role of parent, this may be a new concept for other children.
4. (2013, May 1). Kirkus Reviews. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joone...
...a delightfully precocious little girl with a turtle-companion named Mr. Chin, lives in a yurt--a YURT!--with her grandfather.

I was so glad to spend a morning-to-night book-day with Joone and Mr. Chin. This is a first book for author, Emily Kate Moon. Her gouache and pencil illustrations evoke the country setting, Joone's imaginative and creative spirit, and the safe and comfortable world that Joone lives in with her grandfather and Mr. Chin.

I think Joone is a very special picture book.

[Michelle Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mads (age 5) and I want to live in this book. I love that this features a non-traditional household (Joone lives with her grandfather, and in a yurt no less, with a pet turtle) and a spunky little girl. Mads loves the page at the end where Joone and her grandpa eat dinner on a deck outdoors and then enjoy the sunset together in a hammock and comfy chair, respectfully. Just a lovely little book, with lovely illustrations, and humor for child and adult alike--very aspirational. Mads requests we read it every night at bedtime, and I don't mind at all.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful picture book about a young girl who just likes to have fun. The voice of this character is true to the five year olds I know and was honestly just adorable. The illustrations brought life into the characters of Joone (Spelled with a smiley face) and her Grandfather. The relationship between these two was equally as important as Joone herself, it demonstrated a different but functional family dynamic for children to learn about.

[Erin Buerk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable! Joone lives with her pet turtle, Mr. Chin and her Grandfather in a yurt. This book highlights the small joys of simple things and spurred a great discussion with my own son about the little things and grandparents.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just a beautifully written and illustrated book. It's easy to understand, but possess sufficiently layered themes to keep kids and adults engaged. It's been my go-to gift since my first read.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emily Kate Moon always wanted to be an author/illustrator and she has now achieved that goal with her debut picture book Joone.

Joone is a story that is sure to put a smile on your face and a little sunshine in your day. Joone, age 5, narrates the different things about her life as she goes through a summer day. She introduces herself, telling the reader that she lives in a yurt with her Grandpa, a retired scientist, and her pet turtle, Dr. Chin. She likes the colors purple and orange, and ice cream sandwiches. Everyday, she learns something new from her Grandpa and everyday, she teaches her Grandpa something new.

And Joone is a busy girl, her days are always well spent doing the simple things she like to do - swimming with Dr. Chin, sometimes helping Grandpa do repairs to the yurt, sometimes not helping Grandpa do repairs to the yurt, but playing with Dr. Chin instead. Joone is a happy little girl who even spells her name with a smiley face.


If you are looking for a quiet summertime story to read to a child, Joone will definitely fit the bill. When I read it to my 4 year old neighbor Lilly, she kept asking to hear it again and again. And sometimes I could hear her whisper to herself things like "oh, I like them, too" about ice cream sandwiches, or "I have one, too" when Joone said she always wore her favorite orange dress.

Joone's story is written in simple declarative sentences, ideal for young children. There is humor to be found, though it is subtle and there is a definite Asian sensibility throughout the story, though nothing is said regarding that. The lovely illustrations, done by the author in gouache and pencil, are charming in their simplicity, yet at the same time, very expressive. Grandpa playing checkers with Joone while wearing the daisy chain she taught him how to make is my particular favorite. I made those when I was young and later wore a lot of them when my Kiddo was growing up.

While most kids don't live a simple, happy life like Joone's, this is a perfect story for young children and one that might even get a dialogue going with kids about their own day, recounting their own simple pleasures. And it is one of those children's books that have a very positive image of an elderly adult, something I have become more and more aware of since I started reading Lindsey McDivitt's blog A is for Aging, B is for Books...

This book is recommended for readers age 3+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL

This review was originally posted at Randomly Reading

[Scatia Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joone is a fiction book where she experiences everyday life with her granddad. Her granddad teaches her some good core values that in my opinion should be established in every child. One being to do things for other people. I do wish that the author in-cooperated more values. So that the reader can expand on them. It was nice though,to see in a children's book where they touch on a social or emotional skills/values. The illustrations were accurate in terms of setting, plot, and characters and corresponded with the text. With this book you can really have teachable moments and possible incorporate them in your everyday life. Joone was so bubbly and happy, the children form Pre-K and Kindergarten would definitely enjoy this book.

[Mark Winger · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boys love this book and can't get enough of it! For me, Joone inspires me to keep the child in myself alive and to further influence my boys to be independent, free-spirited and fun-loving. Who wouldn't enjoy being more like Joone, enjoying and celebrating life as she does with what she has around her. The illustrations are delightfully simple, yet with intricate detail and remarkable use of color. I can't wait to see what adventures Joone has in store for us in the future. In the meantime, I enjoyed it so much, I shared the love and donated a copy to my sons' school.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t love this book just because my aunt wrote and illustrated it… This is honestly such an amazing children’s book. I love the fact that Joone is such a care free, adventurous, and loving little girl. If I am ever having a bad day, all I have to do is look at the cover of my Joone book and it makes me smile. I am 19 years old but when the day comes where I have children, this is the first book I will read to them. I just absolutely LOVE and adore Joone, Dr.Chin, and everything else about this book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sweetest story of a little girl and her grandpa, who live together in a yurt, and do the simple things, like playing games and gathering rocks for a turtle, Dr. Chin, so he can climb stairs. Joone is five, and a delight, as are the watercolor illustrations. The story takes the reader through a day with Joone, finding her at the end going to bed, reading a story to Grandpa, and if he’s good, she reads him two!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book completely charming. I love the I-could-be-anyone quality of the little girl with her big head, vague features, dark hair, and purple knit cap. Her telling about aspects of her days is delightfully sweet without being cloying. And she lives in a yurt and has a really cool treehouse right next to a swimmable stream. How cool it that? Her grandpa teaches her to be helpful, and sometimes she does help, and sometimes she doesn't. It captures a five-year-old's spirit very well.

[Antonia Sivyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My two girls, ages 20 months and 3.5 years, adore this book. The illustrations are so cheerful, clear, and accessible; Joone's character is so pure and charming; and I think my kids are just drawn in by her adventurous yet simple life, indoors and out - but especially out! Hip hip hooray for Joone, a character I don't mind my daughters idolizing, a little. And a book I don't mind reading again and again and a good. :)

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story of a child's endless energy and exuberance. Joone (spelled with a smile, not a U) is adorably helpful whether it is organizing her grandfather's books in rainbow order or leaving an ice cream sandwich in the mailbox for the mail lady. Her infectious smile will charm you as she flies through her wonderful day!

[Medvedi Petrovichi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first English kid's book I've ever read. Was impressed by the drawing style, colors, the story and the character development. I promised my 7 months nephew I'll read him this book when he will be 3 years old, can't wait for him to grow up :)
Thank you Emily, love you and waiting for the sequel.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joone is a cute story about a girl, her grandpa and her turtle. I read it with a smile on my face the whole time. I liked how she got along with her grandpa and they help each other out. I liked how she is constantly playing and doing fun things with her grandpa and also with her turtle. She is creative and kids need to see that. She's a free spirit.

[Jody Lewandowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Earthy story of a little girl who lives with Grandpa and her pet turtle in a yurt! Wow! I've never come across a yurt in literature before, much less a picture book. Amazing relationship between the two characters who value learning things from each other and just being in each other's company.

I especially love her super-amazing tree house!!

[Roniqua Pitts · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book depicts the life of a five year old girl named Joone. She loves to havae fun with her grandfather and her pet turtle. The character is well developed and reminds me of an average five year old. The illustrations are bright and colorful. The language is age appropriate. The characters represent a different culture than average children's books.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the characters, the setting, the art, the themes... but it's all exposition. Do actual kids like this book?? I would have, but I was weird....
---
Second read. I don't remember it all, but I still love it. And some kids will, I'm sure. Who could not love Joone reading stories to her Grandpa who is glad he learned how to make a daisy crown?

[Emily Moon]

Joone is my favorite girl. I love everything about her and her world. Every child deserves freedom and safety and joy like this! Grandpa is the shining example of love and wisdom. (And Dr. Chin keeps an eye on everything!) More Joone is in the works...

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this August 5th. A tender tribute to the little joys in life. So true. This book is beautiful. Henry loved it and so did I. We picked this book to celebrate National Ice Cream Sandwich Day on August 2nd. Joone likes orange and purple ice cream sandwiches. Highly recommend this sweet book.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming.
The voice is perfectly child-like and while there's not much "story story" here, it's a wonderful portrait of a spunky girl who lives with her grandfather. They have a lovely little family's life.

[Amanda Schwind · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me. I fell in love with Joone as I read it. I would love to read it aloud to a young kindergarten class. It could also make a great segway into writing stories about ourselves, too.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming story about a little girl and her grandfather who take great joy in life's simple things.

[Christina Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Joone is a wonderful little girl, and reminds me so much of my children.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Joone...want more books...SOON! This will be a great book for Show & Tell.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet!

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read to my little girl, such a cute book!