Everybody Brings Noodles

Everybody Brings Noodles

From School Library Journal Grade 2-4-In this successor to Everybody Serves Soup (Carolrhoda, 2000), Carrie organizes a Fourth of July block party in her neighborhood. As she goes from house to house making the final arrangements, she is delighted to learn that everyone is preparing some kind of pasta, her favorite food. Mrs. Hua will contribute yellow sesame noodles; Anna-Eleni is bringing orzo; Fendra, a macaroni salad; and so on. That evening, the revelers enjoy eating, playing games, and entertaining one another with a hip-hop dance, a flute solo, an original rap song, and drumming. Carrie wishes she had a talent to share, but feels honored when she is recognized for talking with everybody and getting people to converse with one another. The realistic, framed, full-color illustrations in soft tones show people smiling broadly. The main character is appealing with her energy and friendliness, but the story is thin, serving primarily as a vehicle to introduce the various foods that those from different backgrounds eat (recipes included). The book's main appeal is the vision of community in a setting of racial, ethnic, and age diversity.Adele Greenlee, Bethel College, St. Paul, MNCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. The block party was Carrie's idea, but when it arrives she can only think about two things: the talent show and the delicious noodle dishes from many countries that her neighbors are bringing.