Noodleheads See the Future

I recommended Noodlehead Nightmares, the first book in this series, last year and then didn't think much of it again (other than eventually purchasing a copy for the library). Then in November of 2017 I pulled the first book for a book club pick. As soon as I said "the author of Fly Guy" there was an immediate rush and the kids were fighting over the Noodleheads! Reluctant readers were giggling over it, and sad faces were shown me when I ran out of copies. I've since ordered more copies and am looking forward to sharing the sequel with these eager readers.

The Noodleheads return in this second book and they're ready to help! First, they try to help Uncle Ziti build a wall. But they can't get their hands off to give him a hand, and when show more he tells them it's a piece of cake they set of in search of cake. When they discover their mother looking into the future and picturing a garden, the two decide to help her with her garden so they can get some cake. But "digging a garden is hard work!" so they decide to collect firewood instead. While in the woods, they run into their friend Meatball who turns out to be able to see the future! Or is he just after their firewood? Fortunately, he's a good guy in the end and gives them some acorns to grow their own firewood. Meatball is such a good friend, even if he can't see the future! Or can he? Fortunately, it all ends with delicious cake.

Arnold's trademark illustrations, featuring bulgy eyes, humorous characters, and a cracked pattern in the backgrounds (like Alison Jay's work - I don't know what the technique is called, but it looks cool) will quickly grab the attention of Fly Guy fans. The integration of fool stories from around the world (sources in the back) shows that these tales are just as funny now as they were when they were first told and a whole new generation will enjoy practicing their reading with some silly noodleheads.

Verdict: I'm going to buy some additional copies to meet the need, now that the kids have discovered how much fun these Noodleheads can be.

ISBN: 9780823436736; Published 2017 by Holiday House; Purchased for the library show less

Mac and Mac, the noodleheads who take everything literally and are easily fooled, are convinced by mean bully Meatball that he can see the future. He also fakes them into believing he has magic seeds. But all ends well when the future eventually arrives and a garden takes bloom.

The Noodlehead graphic novels are humorous books that young children will appreciate. (One 5-year-old who I babysit picked this particular title as his favorite out of a dozen or so books that we read together.) In the vein of Amelia Bedelia, the Noodleheads often take certain phrases too literally, resulting in chaos and comedy. Other times they are simply oblivious to the obvious; for example, in this book they sit on the a branch that they are trying to saw show more off of a tree. But somehow everything works out happily in the end for everyone involved.

These books are a fun introduction to graphic novels for the youngest readers. In addition, I appreciate the authors' note at the end that describes the long history of noodlehead stories and their significance. show less

I'm really surprised my children and I didn't like this more. We absolutely love the Fly Guy series, and this looked so cute. The illustrations are great, and I absolutely love Mac and Mac, but the story was....meh. Maybe, we'll try another in this series and give it another shot at some point.

This cute book is about two noodleheaded brothers that are shocked by their uncle named Ziti, then fooled by their friend Meatball that leads them into doing a good deed for their mother. I enjoyed this book because of the creativity of personification over a favorite food, macaroni! This book is suitable for kinder through second grade and can be used to teach creativity, personification, and retelling.

I loved this book! It was so funny and the illustrations were great. There was so much color and I love that the main characters were food. The words are simple enough for beginners, it's repetitive and easy to follow along. I will definitely have this in my classroom.

This book is about three brothers, who are noodles, and they are all named Mac. They believe that they can see the future and they go through their day realizing that they truly can't predict the future.

These fun stories are based on folklore. This book is a good book for young children and they will find it funny.