Dragon Noodle Party

September 1, 2022

PreS-Gr 2-The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac are off to a celebration. Each one will contribute a food item, condiment, or utensil necessary for preparing and eating a special dish. Snake is the only one who brings nothing along. But readers can quickly forgive his negligence, as we soon learn that a surprise is in store for Snake. It's his birthday, and his friends will honor him with the traditional dish of noodles wrapped around Dragon's long, lean body. Long noodles-as the back matter explains-are symbolic of a long life. The bright illustrations appear in elongated strips that amplify this idea. The cover art includes the years for each animal's sign, and back matter offers information on each animal's traits. An explanation of the cyclical calendar is provided, as well as a recipe for dragon beard noodles. This playful take on a child-friendly topic will resonate with kids familiar with Chinese customs and will inform and delight others. VERDICT A worthy addition to multicultural resources that will shine during Chinese New Year and throughout all the seasons.-Gloria Koster

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October 1, 2022
The animals of the Chinese zodiac are having a party. One sunny day, each of the animals in the Chinese zodiac heads up a hill with something special. Horse trots up the hill, pulling a cart with a big wok in it, Goat strolls along, carrying wild onions, Monkey climbs up, holding oil and spices, and so on. Each animal is charmingly depicted with earthy tones and block-print-like textures on a double spread, with only a single sentence describing the animal, how it moves, and what it brings. Compestine cleverly hints at the feast to come without giving the plot away. But wait--why is Snake, the final animal, slithering up the hill with nothing? Readers find out in the final spread, which reads, "Happy birthday, Snake!" While the story is appealing and perfect for preschool listeners, some cultural details may derail their adult caregivers. Why is Horse the first animal up the hill when, according to legend, Rat is the first in the zodiac? Why is the snake singled out? And why is the book called Dragon Noodle Partywhen noodles are only one of the items brought? This last question is answered in the backmatter, which provides clarity on the importance of noodles in birthday celebrations, information about the zodiac (and its correct order), and a recipe for dragon beard noodles. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Cute and delightful despite a few hitches. (Picture book. 3-6)

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November 7, 2022
On a clear sunny day, the animals of the zodiac prepare for a party in this straightforward, parade-like telling. One page at a time and in the traditional order, the animals travel up a hill with their contributions: among the others, Horse heads up with a large wok, Goat takes wild onions, and Monkey carries oil and spices. Simple text from Compestine reliably describes how each animal makes the journey (“Rooster strutted,” “Dragon flew”), and Pang dedicates a festive full-spread landscape to each animal’s trek. When night falls and Snake arrives last, empty-handed, it becomes clear that the party is Snake’s birthday celebration, replete with long noodles. An author’s note and note about zodiac animals conclude alongside a recipe for Dragon Beard Noodles. Ages 4–7.