Noodle Magic

by Roseanne Thong, Meilo So (Illustrator)

Everyone has the magic within!

Grandpa Tu is famous for his special noodles, and as the emperor's birthday approaches, he teaches his granddaughter, Mei, the family trade. Mei struggles to find the magic needed to make noodles. Ultimately, she finds the magic--and the ability to succeed--within. Mei doesn't just make noodles--her magic noodles in varied shapes and sizes rain down from the sky!

NOODLE MAGIC is written in the style of a Chinese folk story, with engaging cultural and community aspects. The family connection that's at the heart of the story has universal appeal. The grandfather and granddaughter work together to accomplish what one could not do alone. Meilo So, whose BRUSH OF THE GODS received four starred reviews, brings the story to life with beautiful, breathtaking illustrations.

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Family, Cooking, Childrens, Cultural, Fantasy

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 4, 2014

About the author

Also writes as Roseanne Greenfield Thong.

Reviews

[Air Ramsower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noodle Magic is written by Roseanne Greenfield Thong and illustrated by Meilo So. Published in 2014 by Orchard Books, imprint of Scholastic Inc.




Noodle Magic is the story of a young girl Mei and her Grandpa Tu as they prepare to make noodles for the emperor's upcoming birthday. Mei struggles to learn how to make magic noodles by herself, however with the encouragement from Grandpa Tu and the help of the Moon Goddess, Mei is able to believe in herself and make noodles not just for the emperor but for the entire village. This story encompasses the importance of community, Chinese culture, perseverance, and family. The illustrations are colorful and the characters are unique. I would recommend this book for children between the ages of 4-8.

[stacey_the_booknerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautifully written and illustrated. My daughter loved it!

[Yoo Kyung Sung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grandpa and his granddaughter are bonding in this book with noodles. Illustrations and story setting are traditional, yet the relationship between the grandpa and his granddaughter is much more contemporary and cool. Elasticity of Noodles with humor is symbolic. The illustrator is from Hongkong..Imagination with noodles are fun..

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great message of perseverance and the difference between help and doing things for others.

[Sam]

Mei's grandfather could make anything out of noodles. When it came time for the emperor's birthday celebration Grandpa Tu told Mei it was her tirn to make noodle magic. This terrified Mei as she thought only her grandfather had the magic to do this, but she eventually finds magic in herself.

This is a very inspiring book giving the reader the message that you can do anything as long as you believe in yourself. Although her grandfather and the Moon Goddess believed in her the whole time, Mei is unable to make noodle magic until she believes in herself. The book is written in the style of a Chinese folk story allowing the reader to dive into this culture.

I would pair this book with The Value of Believing in Yourself by Spencer Johnson.

"They stretched back and forth, up and down, until finally, there was a SNAP!" This book can be used as a mentor text for using sound effects such as "SNAP!" in this quote.

[Maddie Gerber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book because it looked like a cute story about a girl and her grandpa. I thought the book was really cute and had a good message that you just have to keep trying. Reading this book to my students would also give them a look at different cultures. I think this would be a great book my classroom and I have already thought of an activity for it.

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story about a grandfather and granddaughter both in the business of making the best noodles. Magical noodles! Mei must find the magic within herself in order to grow into her grandfather's trade. Exciting illustrations with lots of detail and hidden scenes for young people to enjoy.

[Erin *BookDragon_Library* · Rating 4 out of 5]

It reads almost like a Chinese folk tale. A grandfather and grand daughter. The illustrations show scenes of life in non-modern China. A good book to use for showing a different culture and traditions.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't like the art style even though it's well done, but I loved the story!

[Aiden and Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

GRL: M
DRA: 24

[WriteTheVision · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute. my students especially responded to the sounds of noodle magic with grandpa tu (karate sounds). but whoa worked too.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mei learns to make noodle magic from her grandfather.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the things that Mei and Grandpa Tu do with noodles are super fun, and they're illustrated well.

The story line of Mei figuring out her magic felt a little weak to me, though.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story of discovering your own abilities and magic!

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids were really inspired to roll and smack dough and shape it into noodles after we read this one.

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Believe in yourself."

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! I have added it to several schools in my district.

[Claire Wang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noodle magic is cool because they have magic. They can make noodles into any shape. For example, they made a dragon out of noodle and rose on it.

[Makena Janssen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mei's grandpa Tu is a magic noodle maker known throughout their village. After years of watching her grandpa work his magic, it is finally Mei's turn to make the magic lifelong noodle for the emperor's birthday. At first Mei struggles to make the dough magic, but after gaining confidence in herself and trying to make the dough on her own without her grandpa's help, Mei succeeds and magic noodles rain down on the emperor's celebration. It is a charming story, full of fantasy and wonder; a story that many children would undoubtedly enjoy. The illustrations are beautifully done and aid in the portrayal of the beautiful Chinese cultural details in the book. They depict ornate Chinese attire, architecture, festivities, decorations, and food. For a picture book it does an excellent job of creating an engaging, delightful story, centered around Chinese characters and culture. However, it does rely heavily on the five F's, which is only to be expected in a book so short. Although the book does not delve deeper that the five F's, it also does not propagate harmful stereotypes. Overall I enjoyed reading it and think that it is a lovely book promoting familial bonds, engagement in cultural traditions, and the power of imagination.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about a little girl in China who loves the noodles her grandfather makes. But one day her grandfather decides it's time for the little girl to make the noodles for the emperor's birthday.

Magic is involved.

[Venus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally posted on Children's Atheneum

Grandpa Tu is famous for his special noodles and as the emperor's birthday approaches, he is determined to teach his granddaughter, Mei, the family trade. However, Mei struggles to make the noodles, unable to find the magic within herself. Grandpa Tu has confidence in her, even the moon goddess does, but it isn't until Mei believes she can do it that the real noddle magic can happen.

An interesting and engaging "traditional" feeling story that invokes beautiful imagery of time past. There is a nice smattering of magic, although Mei's noodle creation felt a bit more like an accident than something of her own doing, but it was no less magical. The idea behind the story, of believing in yourself, of others believing in you, and how important that is, was the real gem though. Mixed within are fantastic watercolor illustrations that meshed so well with the text. A great story for grandparents to read to their grands and would also be a nice addition to a Chinese New Year celebration.

[Marcie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the message "magic comes from within", but am not sure that the story itself said that. She had to get her magic from the Woman in the moon.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mei loves, loves, loves to watch her Grandpa Tu make noodles. She thinks--the whole village in fact--thinks that there is something magical about Grandpa Tu's noodles. So everyone--Mei included--is shocked that Grandpa Tu chooses NOT to make noodles to celebrate the emperor's birthday. Instead he chooses Mei for the job. He wants her to find the magic within herself, he wants her to see that she too can do it. Readers watch as Mei tries and tries her best to make noodles special enough, magical enough, for the occasion. At times, it seems Grandpa Tu has more confidence in his granddaughter than she does in herself. Even the moon goddess thinks Mei can do it!

I liked this one. I really liked some aspects of it. I liked the writing, the language. I liked the imagery. For example, "powdery flakes that hung in the air and freckled the morning light." There were places this one worked really well for me. I also liked the focus on the grandfather-granddaughter relationship. I definitely liked the ending!

[Whitney Church · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not a book I would normally choose. As I was reading I was surprised about the connections I made to the story. I connected with the family element to the story, my family is Italian and every year before Easter we get together and make homemade pasta. Like my family has passed down recipes for pasta Mei's grandfather tells her, "This year, it's your turn to make noodle magic,". Mei is terrified she won't be able to create magical noodles like her grandfather.

This book would appeal to children who like a story that also includes a bit of magic. Throughout the story Mei and Grandpa Tu speak to the Moon Goddess. I think the story is versatile and can be used to add depth to several areas of study. It would be good for learning about different cultures and their celebrations or studying Chinese folklore.

I would encourage students to further their reading by looking into Chinese folklore. I would also urge them to find out more about the Moon Goddess, and other ways people celebrated the emperor's birthday.

[Emmaline MacBeath · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUMMARY: In this Chinese Folk Story, Grandpa Tu is a noodle maker. Every night he works magic with his hands and every morning the most amazing noodles appear. Grandpa decides it is time for his granddaughter Mei to work some of her own magic to make noodles for the Emperor's birthday. Mei is unsure of herself. She asks to borrow some of her grandfather's magic, but he tells her she has all the magic she needs. She works hard and finds a way to make the noodles.

ILLUSTRATIONS: The illustrations appear to be done in watercolor. They are very colorful and full of many details of Chinese life as well as fantasy aspects.

REVIEW: This is a delightful folk story made even more enjoyable by the subject matter of noodles of all shapes and sizes! It is also a story of Mei overcoming her fears of not being able to make the noodles for the Emperor's birthday. Yet she overcomes. Children will enjoy this story immensely.

AGE RECOMMENDATION: grades K-3

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age: Preschool-1st grade
Family: Grandfather, granddaughter
Location: China
Food: Making your own noodles

Mei's grandfather has a magical way with noodles, creating a variety of objects like kite strings and jump ropes (he never does make food with it, though...). When the emperor's birthday approaches, Granpa puts all his faith in Mei, giving her the reins to create long-life noodles for the emperor. But Mei has never made noodle magic before--especially not by herself! I wish the ending put a little more accountability in Mei because she learns that she can do it herself by playing a game of tug-o-war with the Moon goddess and then the noodles snap in half, raining noodles on the town [*drools*]. To me, it seems more like an accident than Mei's magical creation. The story is still fun and readable, though!

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's almost time for the Emperors birthday. Mei is excited to watch her grandfather make his magic noodles. But when it's time to begin preparing for the big day Grandfather tells Mei that it is her turn to try making magic noodles. But no matter how hard she works her noodles don't have the magic of Grandfathers. She even gifts the Moon with a ball of noodles. The Moon tells Mei she has to find the magic inside of herself. Finally, finally Mei finds her magic.

This story didn't really make sense. The grandfathers version of noodle magic was that his noodles turned into characters. Mei's noodles, when she found her "magic", just fell from the sky like regular noodles.

Nothing special here.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the emperor's birthday approaches, Grandpa Tu decides that it's time for his granddaughter Mei to learn how to make the special noodles for which he is known. She struggles with the noodles and begs him and the Moon Goddess for help, but eventually, it turns out that Grandpa was right. Mei does have the magic inside her to create marvelous noodle shapes. The watercolor illustrations are filled with rich colors and shapes, and the text has a folklore flavor to it as it celebrates one family's contribution to the emperor's special day.

[Alyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roseanne Greenfield Thong's "Noodle Magic" is a sweet coming-of-age tale that beautifully illustrates the gracious support of family.

Grandpa Tu, a noodle master, declines using his culinary gift to make a dish for the emperor's birthday. Instead, he encourages his granddaughter, Mei, to take on this special task. When nerves consume her and Mei begins to doubt her ability to create, Grandpa continues to stand by her side. And although she cannot replicate him, Mei learns she possesses a little noodle magic all her own.

[Annie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute story about Chinese culture, that according to the side flap is "written like a Chinese folktale." This is where I don't feel like it's entirely appropriate for teaching social studies. The folktale aspect would have to be clearly spelled out for students, which it's not in the book. There is also no author's note or other explanation of where this story came from and how it is important to Chinese culture.

1/3