This story is Fourth-of-July-HOT and features a celebration of firecrackers, community and NOODLES!To this reviewer, layered for Indiana's 20-degree-below-zero weather, these noodles - hot OR cold - sound even more comforting than in July. Norah Dooley and Peter Thornton are among my favorite New Englanders, a great combination since their 1991 debut with "Everybody Cooks Rice."
In "EVERYBODY BRINGS NOODLES" Carrie's brainstorm produces a block party. Her multi-cultured neighbors come through with a grand old-timey community gathering, dressed up with red, white and blue bunting, a food tent, talent show -- THE WORKS! Carrie is thrilled with each of the ethnic food contributions but wishes she had a TALENT to share.
I love the neighborhood, and "Mom's Pesto" and Mrs. Max who persuades Carrie that being the audience is also a welcome talent. The Dooley-Thornton books are good for reading aloud to all ages because there's never a time when FOOD doesn't produce smiles -- and even willing hands in the kitchen.
QUESTIONS: WHY isn't Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis) doing more publicity for this series, and also their "Small World" books? And WHEN will CHOCOLATE be the focus of a Norah Dooley tale?
Here I am snowed in with ALL the ingredients for "Mrs. Max's KUGEL" -- EXCEPT the cornflakes. Guess I'll have to send Carrie around the neighborhood to find some!
Enjoy the great recipes with Reviewer MCHAIKU.
