Logo image
  • BookDragon
  • About
  • The Blogger
  • Review Policy
  • Smithsonian APAC
 
36234
post-template-default,single,single-post,postid-36234,single-format-standard,stardust-core-1.1,stardust-child-theme-ver-1.0.0,stardust-theme-ver-3.1,ajax_updown_fade,page_not_loaded,smooth_scroll

BookDragon Blog

01 Dec / Noodle Magic by Roseanne Greenfield Thong, illustrated by Meilo So

Noodle MagicAfter such a bountiful weekend, food might not be the first thing on your mind this Cyber Monday morning … but how about a bit of magic to add to the rest of this holiday season? Meet Mei … who’s about to receive quite the family inheritance!

Every day, Mei’s Grandpa Tu “make[s] magic with his hands and a bit of dough.” His noodles are not only irrefutably delicious, but they also do double duty as jump ropes, or kite strings, or even cloud catchers. “Mei knew no one could spin magic like Grandpa Tu!”

As the emperor’s birthday fast approaches, “everyone was making something special –  everyone except for Grandpa Tu.” How could that be? No birthday can be complete without long-life noodles! Surprise, surprise, because the day before the big natal celebration, Grandpa Tu announces, “‘This year, it’s your turn to make magic noodles.'” Pressure much? Initially “terrified,” Mei quickly rises (and kneads and stretches, too!) to the occasion: a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do! And do it fabulously, of course!

Roseanne Greenfield Thong’s celebration of nurturing empowerment is a resonating reminder about the enduring bonds of family. Artist Meilo So brings her swaths of whimsy to every page, swirling with movement (dancing dough, never-resting noodles) and winking with unexpected details (a curious little face in the window, a sort-of imaginary kitty with a not-quite runaway real mouse). Spun together, the result is … well, in a single word … magic, not to mention a nourishingly toothsome treat for the soul.

Readers: Children

Published: 2014

By Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center in Children/Picture Books, Chinese American, Fiction Tags > BookDragon, Family, Folklore/Legend/Myth, Food, Girl power, Grandparents, How-to ..., Meilo So, Noodle Magic, Roseanne Greenfield Thong
No Comment

Post a Comment
Cancel Reply

Smithsonian Institution
Asian Pacific American Center

Capital Gallery, Suite 7065
600 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20024

202.633.2691 | APAC@si.edu

Additional contact info

Mailing Address
Capital Gallery
Suite 7065, MRC: 516
P.O. Box 37012
Washington, DC 20013-7012

Fax: 202.633.2699

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

SmithsonianAPA brings Asian Pacific American history, art, and culture to you through innovative museum experiences and digital initiatives.

About BookDragon

Welcome to BookDragon, filled with titles for the diverse reader. BookDragon is a new media initiative of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC), and serves as a forum for those interested in learning more about the Asian Pacific American experience through literature. BookDragon is inhabited by Terry Hong.

Learn More

Contact BookDragon

Please email us at SIBookDragon@gmail.com

Follow BookDragon!
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Looking for Something Else …?

or