Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
Mrs. Noodlekugel (Mrs. Noodlekugel #1)
With signature wit and whimsy, the inimitable Daniel Pinkwater introduces an eccentric, endearing babysitter every child will wish they could have.
Nick and Maxine live in a tall building with one apartment on top of another. So when they look out their window and see a little house they never knew was there, of course they must visit (especially when their parents tell the...more
Nick and Maxine live in a tall building with one apartment on top of another. So when they look out their window and see a little house they never knew was there, of course they must visit (especially when their parents tell the...more
Hardcover, 80 pages
Published
April 24th 2012
by Candlewick
(first published March 13th 2012)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
322)
Okay, seriously. I LOVE THIS BOOK! I didn’t know much about it going into reading it. I just knew that it had a good review. Well, now I know why! Seriously, I think that one of the happiest things in the world of juvenile fiction is that this is going to be a series of brilliant books. And that will make me very happy! Especially because this is a level that doesn’t have very many things that I love. It is harder than the easiest readers. But it isn’t as hard as a Nancy Drew book. It is probabl...more
Reason for Reading: My son read to me as his reader. I have always enjoyed Daniel Pinkwater as an author, though I've only read a few of his books.
First as to age appropriateness. The publisher recommends this to age 5+ and that is an appropriate age but as a read-aloud. I think the perfect reading level group would be 7-9. However, my struggling reader is 12 and he found the story funny, not babyish at all. This is the extreme age range though.
This is a light-hearted quick read. Mrs. Noodlekuge...more
First as to age appropriateness. The publisher recommends this to age 5+ and that is an appropriate age but as a read-aloud. I think the perfect reading level group would be 7-9. However, my struggling reader is 12 and he found the story funny, not babyish at all. This is the extreme age range though.
This is a light-hearted quick read. Mrs. Noodlekuge...more
It's time to get a little bit silly, adventurous, whimsical, and down-right fun loving. Yes! It's time to explore Mrs. Noodlekuger by Daniel Pinkwater. Now as you can see from the cover image, Mrs. Noodlekuger is a delightfully cheerful little old lady.
Well, Nick and Maxine (our children in this delightful story) have discovered a tiny little house situated at the rear of the tall apartment building - in fact surrounded by tall buildings - in which they now live. Their curiosity gets the best of...more
Well, Nick and Maxine (our children in this delightful story) have discovered a tiny little house situated at the rear of the tall apartment building - in fact surrounded by tall buildings - in which they now live. Their curiosity gets the best of...more
Mrs. Noodlekugel is the eccentric neighbor who lives in a "little old-fashioned house," which catches the attention of the children Nick and Maxine who live in a huge skyscraper next door. The story has great potential but doesn't feel complete as some of the kid's queries are answered glibly and without mystery and other strange occurrences don't seem to shock the children. With pieces of numerous fairytales juggled about and a story that never decides if it will be a moral tale, or simply a hu...more
The cover is the best part about this book. That and the interior illustrations. This book *looks* like it would be comparable to Mary Poppins and/or Mrs. Pigglewiggle. The book *looks* like it would be a funny story for an age-group that doesn't get much attention. But. The writing just did NOT work for me at all. The writing--especially the dialogue--was so terribly unnatural and awkward. Trying much too hard to be Dick and Jane, maybe? I don't know.
A tall building, with one apartment stacked...more
A tall building, with one apartment stacked...more
– A quick and easy read which could have packed a little bit more than it does. Two children discover a charming home in the middle of where they least expected it – right in the middle of a whole block of high rise buildings. The kids find out that it belongs to Mrs.Noodlekugel, a kind old woman who lives there with a talking cat along with not three, but four blind mice.
The story moved and ended rather abruptly for me and was a little confusing and not seeming so right as well at certain poin...more
The story moved and ended rather abruptly for me and was a little confusing and not seeming so right as well at certain poin...more
Pinkwater, Daniel. Mrs. Noodlekugel.
ARC from Netgalley.com
Nick and Maxine move into a tall apartment building and accidentally get a glimpse of a small house with a garden in the center of their block. They are told not to go there, but once they find that they can get to the area through the boiler room of their building, they go and meet Mrs. Noodlekugel, her talking cat, and her four nearsighted mice. It turns out that she will be their babysitter, but their parents told them not to visit her...more
ARC from Netgalley.com
Nick and Maxine move into a tall apartment building and accidentally get a glimpse of a small house with a garden in the center of their block. They are told not to go there, but once they find that they can get to the area through the boiler room of their building, they go and meet Mrs. Noodlekugel, her talking cat, and her four nearsighted mice. It turns out that she will be their babysitter, but their parents told them not to visit her...more
Everyone knows I am the biggest Pinkwater fan. But, not of this book.
Great premise! A little old lady lives in the garden behind an apartment building that can only be accessed through the boiler room. The rest of the story feels just . . . lazy. (I am so sorry to be saying this. Lizard Music. Hoboken Chicken Emergency. The Yggyssey. Sigh.)
An old lady named Mrs. Nudelkugel should help the kids make . . . Noodle Kugel! And kasha varnishkes. And kishka. Maybe babka or mandelbrot. A tongue sandwich...more
Great premise! A little old lady lives in the garden behind an apartment building that can only be accessed through the boiler room. The rest of the story feels just . . . lazy. (I am so sorry to be saying this. Lizard Music. Hoboken Chicken Emergency. The Yggyssey. Sigh.)
An old lady named Mrs. Nudelkugel should help the kids make . . . Noodle Kugel! And kasha varnishkes. And kishka. Maybe babka or mandelbrot. A tongue sandwich...more
I love Daniel Pinkwater's humor but it fell flat in this beginning chapter book. It is a 72 page beginning chapter book with large type, black and white illustrations throughout, and lots of white space. There are too few books like this out there for beginning readers so I had high hopes. Nothing terribly wrong with it, but the story does not go anywhere. Nick and Maxine learn that Mrs. Noodlekugel is their new babysitter and have some fun adventures with her, the end. There is a 2nd book in th...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Apr 23, 2012
Hazel
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
fiction,
he-wrote-it,
make-me-want-to-have-kids,
juvenile-chapter,
series,
read-in-2012,
firsts
Two children and an odd babysitter. Not the most original concept, but Pinkwater adds his humor to the classic setup, and his humor is always worth reading.
Here's a taste. After the children help Mrs. Noodlejugel make gingermice by tracing live mice (Mrs. Noddlekugel's friends, obviously), the question is posed:
"'Is this sanitary?' Nick asked.
'What do you mean?' Mrs. Noodlekugel asked.
'I mean we are going to eat cookies made from dough that had mice lying on it,' Nick said.
'Oh, we will not eat t...more
Here's a taste. After the children help Mrs. Noodlejugel make gingermice by tracing live mice (Mrs. Noddlekugel's friends, obviously), the question is posed:
"'Is this sanitary?' Nick asked.
'What do you mean?' Mrs. Noodlekugel asked.
'I mean we are going to eat cookies made from dough that had mice lying on it,' Nick said.
'Oh, we will not eat t...more
I read this out of curiosity and was fairly disappointed. I love children's books and am an aspiring children's librarian, but this short story was so random. There are chapters in the book, but they seem very out of place and interrupt the flow. I think it would actually read better without the chapter breaks, or if it didn't just go from one idea to the next. The dialogue was very unnatural as well; I don't know a single child who speaks as formally as the kids in this book. Overall, it seems...more
I expect quite a lot from Daniel Pinkwater's books. Humor, good writing, and a plot of one sort of another. Mrs. Noodlekugel is a fabulous title that had me expecting a humorous and contemporary Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. Alas, it is not to be. Mrs. Noodlekugel's house is an architectural (but not literal) gingerbread cottage in a garden that is wedged in between skyscrapers. Nick and Maxine are tricked by their parents into finding her, only to be told that she is their new babysitter. The potential i...more
When siblings Maxine and Nick spy a house in the back yard of their apartment building, they simply must go exploring, even though their parents have warned them not to do so. Their detective work is rewarded by an encounter with an interesting elderly woman named Mrs. Noodlekugel who lives with her talking--and baking--cat Mr. Fuzzface. They also meet four incredibly far-sighted mice and returning to bake gingerbread mice who somehow come to life and scamper out the kitchen door and into the ya...more
For a children's book, it was alright. I mean, if I had kids, I might read this to them one night. But I felt that the plot development was seriously lacking. Nothing truly happens; there is no climax to the story. I definitely felt that the story could have gone on. The ending felt open-ended and unfinished, like the author was tired one night and decided to end it right then and there. Plus, Mrs. Noodlekugel never even becomes the babysitter. I thought that this would be a key point in the sto...more
Nick and Maxine spot a little house from the window of their apartment building, and even though their parents specifically tell them not to, they go exploring and meet the house's inhabitants: Mrs. Noodlekugel, her talking cat Mr. Fuzzface, and four farsighted mice.
Eccentric and charming characters lent this story potential, but awkward dialogue, an overly simplistic storyline, and an abrupt ending prevented this from being an enjoyable read-aloud. Most disappointing was a mixed message about...more
Eccentric and charming characters lent this story potential, but awkward dialogue, an overly simplistic storyline, and an abrupt ending prevented this from being an enjoyable read-aloud. Most disappointing was a mixed message about...more
So the illustrations are cute, the story is quick, and the whimsy appealed to my 4-year old. At one point the kids disobey a stupid command their parents gave, and my 4-year old was quick to point out "so the kids were right and the parents were wrong!" True, plenty of other popular books paint the adults as clueless or idiotic or downright mean, so this is by no means unusual. Anyway, it had an awesome picture to story ratio for an early chapter book. Not too much plot, which meant my daughter...more
My reluctantly reading 2nd Grader loves this book. His review: "It has no scary parts, only fun parts. The exciting parts are fun without being scary fun." I'm not sure what level of scariness he was expecting from a book with a friendly grandma and cat on the cover. Maybe I've talked to him about Nazi's too much...
This super-short chapter book could almost be a Level 3 Reader, like Frog and Toad. This mild fantasy quest is a great introduction for reluctant readers, boys and girls alike. Most o...more
This super-short chapter book could almost be a Level 3 Reader, like Frog and Toad. This mild fantasy quest is a great introduction for reluctant readers, boys and girls alike. Most o...more
I CAN'T BELIVE THERE ARE TWO AND ONE STAR REVIEWS FOR THIS BOOK! IT'S SWELL!
I think Daniel Pinkwater is a genius. I don't love all is work, but this is certainly one I would have loved to have read when I was young. Mrs. Piggle Wiggle meets Hansel & Gretel in this quirky and fun short chapter book. 80 pages of delightful illustrations and unexpected narrative make this a great "urban fairy tale" for young independent readers.
For those who posted before me (the aforementioned minimal stars),...more
I think Daniel Pinkwater is a genius. I don't love all is work, but this is certainly one I would have loved to have read when I was young. Mrs. Piggle Wiggle meets Hansel & Gretel in this quirky and fun short chapter book. 80 pages of delightful illustrations and unexpected narrative make this a great "urban fairy tale" for young independent readers.
For those who posted before me (the aforementioned minimal stars),...more
Dec 28, 2012
Lindsay
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
children,
magic,
humor,
series,
for-lower-grades-k-3,
ar-3-3,
read-aloud,
mice,
cats,
siblings,
brothers-and-sisters
One of the hardest things for me is finding books for third graders, but after reading Mrs. Noodlekugel, I'll have a bit more to recommend to kids in the younger grades who may not be ready to read "real" chapter books but want something more advanced that a K-2nd grade reader. Some of the flaws that other reviewers have pointed out, I think, are actually not so much the writing style, etc., but because the story is meant for a younger audience. (For example, I don't think I've ever thought of a...more
One day, from a window in their tall apartment building, Nick and Maxine discover a little house sitting in their yard...the house of Mrs. Noodlekugel, an interesting woman with some even more interesting friends.
This is a great book for children just starting with chapter books. There's a hint of Mrs. Pigglewiggle in Mrs. Noodlekugel, but while Mrs. Pigglewiggle set out to rid children of unwanted behaviors, Mrs. Noodlekugel is all about fun. Younger children will chuckle at Mr. Fuzzface and th...more
This is a great book for children just starting with chapter books. There's a hint of Mrs. Pigglewiggle in Mrs. Noodlekugel, but while Mrs. Pigglewiggle set out to rid children of unwanted behaviors, Mrs. Noodlekugel is all about fun. Younger children will chuckle at Mr. Fuzzface and th...more
This book would have been ideal for my newly emerging readers: it has a kid-appealing story with just enough fantasy, folly, and humor (and plenty of charming black-and-white illustrations by Adam Stower) to keep a beginning reader's attention, in addition to great cover appeal (for girls, anyway.) But be aware that this book has a limited readership, given that the text is overly simplistic (quite Dick-and-Jane-ish, just in longer chapter form.) It is, in effect, a long beginning reader, when t...more
Disappointed.
I expect so much more from Daniel Pinkwater. I am not the target audience (beginning readers) but there was just so much potential in this book that I kept waiting, turning the pages and waiting for some of that Pinkwater magic AND it just never came.
Illustrations were amazing, characters were great, diaglogue was akin to the old Dick and Jane books, plot was almost non-existent (which is not a bad thing in a Pinkwater book).
An average book but when compared to the greatness of othe...more
I expect so much more from Daniel Pinkwater. I am not the target audience (beginning readers) but there was just so much potential in this book that I kept waiting, turning the pages and waiting for some of that Pinkwater magic AND it just never came.
Illustrations were amazing, characters were great, diaglogue was akin to the old Dick and Jane books, plot was almost non-existent (which is not a bad thing in a Pinkwater book).
An average book but when compared to the greatness of othe...more
This is a great early chapter book for 2nd and 3rd graders. There is a reference to Mrs. Noodlekugel being a "witch", which the children decide that she is not. It reminds me of good old Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, but much easier format. The only problem is that the book seems to end right when it was getting good and now we kids have to wait until next year, 2013, for the next Mrs. Noodlekugel to come out! Overall, a great introduction for students into the realm of chapter books and a break from Magi...more
Siblings Nick and Maxine have just moved into an apartment building where they live on an upper floor. Soon after they moved in, they discovered a tiny house behind their apartment building, but they could not figure out how to get there. They decided to ask the janitor of the building who told them they had to go through the boiler room. But their parents told them not to bother the woman who lived in the house and not to visit. Of course, the two children just had to meet her. So they traveled...more
Delightful! Mrs. Noodlekugel (Noodle-noodle) reminds me of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle in her general goofiness, but the book is faster, and there are no lessons except that life is goofy and enjoy it that way.
At the end, it almost felt like it was NOT an ending. Not that there was a cliffhanger or anything, just not the usual post-denouement recovery and lessons. The last page referred to the 2013 book coming out.
It would be a good book for an early chapter reader to try (though mine won't).
At the end, it almost felt like it was NOT an ending. Not that there was a cliffhanger or anything, just not the usual post-denouement recovery and lessons. The last page referred to the 2013 book coming out.
It would be a good book for an early chapter reader to try (though mine won't).
I usually love Daniel Pinkwater-his writing typically makes me laugh out loud, so I was a bit disappointed in Mrs. Noodlekugel. I thought much of the potential humor was lost in the simplistic writing. But maybe I'm judging it too harshly. It is a book for early/transitional readers, and in that capacity the repetition of simple and familiar phrases is likely a good thing. I'm on the fence. I'm going to give it to some kids to see how they respond to it... and perhaps that will change how I feel...more
I do not understand why this book is considered so great by so many people. I love children's literature and certainly am always looking for easy chapter books for my reluctant reader. I saw this book at a bookstore and since I love Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and it reminded me a bit of those books, I decided to check it out. I didn't care for it at all. I found it awkwardly written and not at all engaging. I was quite disappointed. But I guess that is why different books speak to different people.
Very short, quick to read chapter book with a cute premise and very cute illustrations. Good for kids just starting to sit through chapters. The language is kind of stilted though - like when authors are purposely trying to keep the reading level very low. The story also kind of goes nowhere and is a little weird. Personally I was totally repulsed by the mice climbing on the cookie dough - but I hate furry things, so maybe that's just me.
probably 2.5
This was a cute book, but not at all memorable. Mrs. Noodlekugel is too much like several other fictional nannies in her charm and whimsy, but nothing really happens in this book (although what DOES happen does NOT make much sense--a cat and farsighted mice making gingermice that run away? huh?) The book did hold the attention of a 3-year old at bedtime, though, so I guess that's saying something.
This was a cute book, but not at all memorable. Mrs. Noodlekugel is too much like several other fictional nannies in her charm and whimsy, but nothing really happens in this book (although what DOES happen does NOT make much sense--a cat and farsighted mice making gingermice that run away? huh?) The book did hold the attention of a 3-year old at bedtime, though, so I guess that's saying something.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Daniel Manus Pinkwater is an author of mostly children's books and is an occasional commentator on National Public Radio. He attended Bard College. Well-known books include Lizard Music, The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death, Fat Men from Space, Borgel, and the picture book The Big Orange Splot. Pinkwater has also illustrated many of his books in the past, although for more recent works that...more
More about Daniel Pinkwater...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
