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Noodleheads #2
Noodleheads See the Future
Tedd Arnold—the guy who does Fly Guy—and his storyteller friends are bringing folktale tomfoolery into the 21st Century, with this Geisel Honor-winning companion to Noodlehead Nightmares.
Although Mac and Mac are as hollow-headed as, well, noodles, they're always coming up with brilliant schemes. For instance, they're absolutely certain Mom will bake them a cake if they gather some firewood for her. But when their friend Meatball offers to trade them a handful of firewood seeds, the gullible brothers can't foresee what will happen next. . .
Illustrated by Tedd Arnold, whose Fly Guy series is a kid favorite, this graphic novel is perfect for comic fans and reluctant readers, with short, funny chapters following Mac and Mac through ridiculous adventures. Full of wordplay, jokes, and slapstick humor, the Noodlehead series is sure to delight.
Based on traditional world folktales and stories of fools, the Noodleheads also encourage critical thinking, inviting kids to use their noodles– spotting the holes in the brothers' grand plans, and anticipating how things will go awry.
Source notes from professional storytellers Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss provide more information about the traditional stories that inspired Mac and Mac's mishaps, showing how these comic motifs feature in folklore and legends all around the world and offering opportunities for further reading.
This easy-to-read series is an accessible introduction to stories of fools, and a great next read for fans of the Fly Guy books.
A Junior Library Guild selection!
Although Mac and Mac are as hollow-headed as, well, noodles, they're always coming up with brilliant schemes. For instance, they're absolutely certain Mom will bake them a cake if they gather some firewood for her. But when their friend Meatball offers to trade them a handful of firewood seeds, the gullible brothers can't foresee what will happen next. . .
Illustrated by Tedd Arnold, whose Fly Guy series is a kid favorite, this graphic novel is perfect for comic fans and reluctant readers, with short, funny chapters following Mac and Mac through ridiculous adventures. Full of wordplay, jokes, and slapstick humor, the Noodlehead series is sure to delight.
Based on traditional world folktales and stories of fools, the Noodleheads also encourage critical thinking, inviting kids to use their noodles– spotting the holes in the brothers' grand plans, and anticipating how things will go awry.
Source notes from professional storytellers Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss provide more information about the traditional stories that inspired Mac and Mac's mishaps, showing how these comic motifs feature in folklore and legends all around the world and offering opportunities for further reading.
This easy-to-read series is an accessible introduction to stories of fools, and a great next read for fans of the Fly Guy books.
A Junior Library Guild selection!
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 30, 2017
5 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
About the author
Tedd Arnold
198 books296 followersTedd grew up with three brothers. His family lived on a farm in Pennsylvania for several years then returned to Elmira until Tedd was ten years old. His father's work then required that they move to Gainesville, Florida. There, Tedd's first art lessons in an abandoned dentist's office over the Happy Hour pool hall eventually led to a fine arts degree from the University of Florida.
He and his wife, Carol, started their family in Tallahassee where Tedd worked as a commercial illustrator. Carol, a kindergarten teacher, drew Tedd's attention to children's books. Their first son, Walter, inspired his breakthrough picture book, NO JUMPING ON THE BED!.
He and his family now live in Elmira. His second son, William, now stars in NO MORE WATER IN THE TUB!, a sequel to his first book. He has now published over 50 books as author and illustrator.
He and his wife, Carol, started their family in Tallahassee where Tedd worked as a commercial illustrator. Carol, a kindergarten teacher, drew Tedd's attention to children's books. Their first son, Walter, inspired his breakthrough picture book, NO JUMPING ON THE BED!.
He and his family now live in Elmira. His second son, William, now stars in NO MORE WATER IN THE TUB!, a sequel to his first book. He has now published over 50 books as author and illustrator.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
March 21, 2018
Weiss, Mitch Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss Noodleheads See the Future, illustrated (and co-authored) by Tedd Arnold EARLY READER. Holiday House, 2017. $16. 9780823436736
Mac and Mac are brothers (noodles) who take everything literally. They go to help their uncle but can’t “give him a hand” or “listen up” or understand that the job isn’t an actual “piece of cake” This being said, they want to help their mother (who might bake them cake) so they go into the forest to gather firewood, but instead of collecting it, they cut it from a live tree which is dangerous. When their friend meatball warns them that they will fall, and then they do, they are certain Meatball can see the future - allowing Meatball to make further fools of them.
A delightful early reader chapter book, with some good life lessons, awesome illustrations and even some source material at the end. Well done!
EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Mac and Mac are brothers (noodles) who take everything literally. They go to help their uncle but can’t “give him a hand” or “listen up” or understand that the job isn’t an actual “piece of cake” This being said, they want to help their mother (who might bake them cake) so they go into the forest to gather firewood, but instead of collecting it, they cut it from a live tree which is dangerous. When their friend meatball warns them that they will fall, and then they do, they are certain Meatball can see the future - allowing Meatball to make further fools of them.
A delightful early reader chapter book, with some good life lessons, awesome illustrations and even some source material at the end. Well done!
EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
July 27, 2017
Mac and Mac are two noodleheads who take everything told to them literally - which made me think about our politicians - but small children will enjoy the book on a much more wholesome level.
March 10, 2018
These stories are loads of fun! They are based on folklore, with specific types of folklore listed in the back. There are 3 hilarious stories in here based on the Noodlehead brothers, Mac and Mac. These lovable guys are intellectual kin to the Know-Nothings by Spirm, and many of the folklore picture books we have in the library. Kids should have lots of fun pointing out the illogical way these two brothers work....such as sawing off the branch they are sitting on for firewood. The language can be a touch challenging: there are lots of two syllable words, and at least one three syllable word in here. Examples include: future and beautiful. Still should be doable with an adult around to assist over impossible to sound out words such as beautiful. Perhaps more of a 3.5 but gets the extra half star because of the inclusion of folklore which I don't think have been done lately.
March 20, 2017
A beginners graphic novel by Tedd Arnold who is always a hoot to begin with.
April 1, 2017
my kids thought it was hilarious...
July 20, 2017
Silly fun from the Fly Guy crew, which my students love. The author's note at the end was kind of interesting too.
June 5, 2019
Oh, those Noodleheads. They're so silly.
Fun book.
Fun book.
January 30, 2019
Mac and Mac take things a little bit too literally. In this book they decide to get firewood for their mother so they can get cake, but get confused when Meatball seems to know what is going to happen to them before it happens. Can Meatball see the future? And if so, can he help them out?
Mac and Mac remind me a little bit of Amelia Bedelia in the way they misunderstand idioms and sayings. There's a surprising amount of information in the back of this book about how the three little stories in this book are based on old folktales from around the world about fools (often referred to in old folktales as noodles). Who'd have expected such rich literary history in the back of a goofy graphic novel for kids?! The text in this is really simple and the graphic novel layout will attract kids. The goofy antics of Mac and Mac should have kids in stitches, and would also provide a good opportunity to talk about wisdom vs foolishness or introduce ESL kids to common idioms.
Mac and Mac remind me a little bit of Amelia Bedelia in the way they misunderstand idioms and sayings. There's a surprising amount of information in the back of this book about how the three little stories in this book are based on old folktales from around the world about fools (often referred to in old folktales as noodles). Who'd have expected such rich literary history in the back of a goofy graphic novel for kids?! The text in this is really simple and the graphic novel layout will attract kids. The goofy antics of Mac and Mac should have kids in stitches, and would also provide a good opportunity to talk about wisdom vs foolishness or introduce ESL kids to common idioms.
October 2, 2018
Noodleheads See the Future is by Tedd Arnold, Martha Hamilton, and Mitch Weiss and illustrated by Tedd Arnold. This book is about two macaroni noodles brothers named Mac and Mac. Their main mission is to dig a garden for their mom, so they have a cake made as a treat. They aren’t brightest in the world and throughout the book, they are very gullible but remain positive throughout their adventure. Noodleheads See the Future won the Geisel Honor Book. I would recommend this book because of the simple text, short chapters, and many illustrations. It’s a very funny book that the children would laugh at and enjoying reading, especially emergent readers. A teacher may ask the children to think of a favor they had to do for their parents for a reward, then use pictures to tell a small comic-like story about it.
June 16, 2017
From time to time, when I hand a parent a Fly Guy book (Arnold's other early reader series), they turn their nose up at it because it seems too low brow. Arnold has a note in the back of this book, explaining the folk tale origins and inspirations for these stories. He also notes that stories like this help children understand humor and logical thinking. I love books like this where the jokes are not spelled out. The joy of the book is that you understand how figures of speech work and the noodleheads don't, etc. It's more than just slapstick--though it is silly and hilarious and will have kids in stitches. A stand out early reader
June 22, 2017
This collection of three stories has so many excellent attributes! First, teaching kids what literally means, which is a common expression nowadays that is used incorrectly, couldn't be funnier with the tales of these Noodleheads! Second, any folktale study unit can benefit from comparing the Tedd Arnold twisted tale of the folktales the Author's Note at the end of the book cites as inspiration for each of the Noodleheads' stories. Third, it is written in graphic novel format, which will serve as an introduction to younger readers who may have not been exposed to this way of reading and writing stories.
March 17, 2017
At first I thought 'this book is ridiculous' then I remembered it was a Tedd Arnold book and then it became almost hysterical! Read this to kids and then you will hear them say "that isn't right, why didn't they do this..." It is almost like when you tease kids and they are like "not that is not true" like if you put "magic firewood seeds" aka acorn in the ground you will get firewood, it will just take 2o or so years! And well, the motivation for cake...is well, always motivating! Fun graphic novel! Makes me want pasta!
May 15, 2017
The book, focusing on two pieces of macaroni and their adventures, didn't really connect with me. On page one they announce they have no brains because they are literally noodles with holes in the top of their heads. So based on that logic wouldn't they just be sitting there like dead limp noodles? Yes, I know I'm bringing adult logic into this, but when you don't find the humor very funny, it becomes easier to find other flaws.
August 13, 2019
Mac and Mac return with more foolishness and tomfoolery as they explore seeing into the future. Their love of cake, and the hopefulness of their mother baking them a cake sends them on a journey to gather firewood. They are tricked out of the firewood they collected by their friend meatball in exchange for firewood seeds, but in the attempt to plant the seeds they surprise their mother with a freshly dug garden, who in turns bakes them a cake.
January 22, 2017
Great silliness abounds in this second Noodleheads book. 3 graphic novel chapters show the two noodleheads making silly mistakes that help them eventually reach their goal. Arnold's big-eyed illustrations are wacky and wonderful. The stories are madcap and mischievous. Fans of Fly Guy will happily embrace this as their reading level rises.
March 16, 2017
Another zany installation in the Noodlehead series, this time they are in the woods trying to find firewood for the oven when they run into Meatball and trouble arises. Luckily, these hollow headed noodles find a way to fix the problem. In the end, they discovered that sometimes problems have a way of working themselves out. Another fun read, that both my son and I enjoyed immensely!
February 16, 2017
The story is well done but the illustrations remind me of cigarette butts & I find it hard to get past this.
March 4, 2017
Lots of figurative language that the noodleheads take literally make for fun reading.
Interesting author note talks about the origin of Noodle tales.
Interesting author note talks about the origin of Noodle tales.
May 12, 2017
A cute beginning graphic novel. I loved the source notes at the end.
May 24, 2017
Silly book indeed. Kids will love it.
December 13, 2017
graphic novel format
October 23, 2020
Noodleheads See the Future is a graphic novel about two noodle brothers who believe that some characters around them can predict the future. The characters who are “predicting the future” are simply seeing the consequences of the two noodles’ actions. Will the noodles’ actions turn out in their favor or will it be their ruin? You’ll have to read to find out.
It may come as a surprise, as it did to me, that this book falls into the genre folk literature, specifically as a folktale. The authors’ notes at the end of this book provides information as to which particular folktales inspired the events within this story. All of the events are taken from folktales around the world that are categorized as noodlehead. The authors explain this type of folktale by saying it’s a “tale of fools, also called “noodles” or “noodleheads.”” The authors go on to say, “noodlehead stories help children to understand humor and logical thinking; kids quickly see that noodleheads are totally illogical – usually to an absurd extent.”
This is a fun and silly read and the illustrations are quite enjoyable. If you enjoy this book, try one of the other Noodleheads books, such as, Noodlehead Nightmares or Noodleheads Fortress of Doom.
It may come as a surprise, as it did to me, that this book falls into the genre folk literature, specifically as a folktale. The authors’ notes at the end of this book provides information as to which particular folktales inspired the events within this story. All of the events are taken from folktales around the world that are categorized as noodlehead. The authors explain this type of folktale by saying it’s a “tale of fools, also called “noodles” or “noodleheads.”” The authors go on to say, “noodlehead stories help children to understand humor and logical thinking; kids quickly see that noodleheads are totally illogical – usually to an absurd extent.”
This is a fun and silly read and the illustrations are quite enjoyable. If you enjoy this book, try one of the other Noodleheads books, such as, Noodlehead Nightmares or Noodleheads Fortress of Doom.
March 10, 2020
This was cute, but I appreciated it more after reading the explanatory note at the end. I read books for across a wide intended age spectrum, but this is one definitely written for a younger audience, that I didn't appreciate as much as an adult.
April 18, 2022
Cute and funny.
April 6, 2019
This story is about two noodles who are asked in the beginning to help work, but end up getting told to go home because they do not understand what they are being asked. In chapter one, their mother tells them that she can see a beautiful garden in their yard, but they tell her that she can not see the future. So, instead they go to get firewood in hopes that their mom will make them a cake. Soon, their friend Meatball comes along and tells them that if they keep sawing at the branch they are sitting on, they will fall and bruise their bottoms which is exactly what happens, so Noodleheads think he can see the future. In chapter two, the Noodleheads ask Meatball to tell them their future and Meatball tells them they are going to die, so they lie down in the forest and close their eyes. While their eyes are closed, Meatball steals their little pile of firewood and the Noodleheads catch him. After catching Meatball stealing their firewood, Meatball gives them acorns and tells them that they are magic firewood seeds. In chapter three, the Noodleheads try to plant the magic firewood seeds, but end up digging up dirt and making holes for the pile of dirt. Three hours later, without realizing it, they made their mom a garden and thinks that she can see the future and that they can see the future too. I really enjoyed this book and the comic book style it has. I think this book would be good for second or third graders being introduced to chapter books.
February 5, 2017
Noodlehead tales have been around a long time, and it is great to see traditional tales such as these get a modern twist. In this, the second in a series featuring two noodlehead brothers, Mac and Mac, readers first meet the brothers and see their empty heads before following them into three adventures. The introductory section sets the stage for their misunderstanding common phrases and their fondness for cake. In the subsequent chapters, they search for firewood for their mother, get tricked into giving all their hard-earned firewood away, dig endless numbers of holes in order to plant magic firewood seeds, and end up with cake despite all the things they did wrong. The silliness is complemented with digital illustrations with vivid colors and characters' facial expressions that show how confused the two brothers are. Although I'm no fortune teller, I can see into the future enough to know that this book will be a hit with Fly Guy fans and anyone with even the slightest sense of humor.
March 13, 2018
This is a very silly little story about two brothers named Mac and there quest for cake. These boys are very literal and take everything that is said at face value. Their mom mentions that she wants a garden one day, but the boys don't want to do all of that digging. Since there mom always makes them cake after they help her so they decide to venture off and get some firewood for the oven. While they are out in the woods they get tricked into trading their firewood for "magic firewood acorns" by a friend who they believe can see the future. While trying to make the seeds work they end up creating the garden holes for their mom like she wanted. So even though she didn't get firewood she still got what she wanted, so she made them a cake. I love this story because it is hilariously written in a graphic novel format. The pictures are very detailed and help students see the ridiculousness of a lot of the situations the boys get themselves into. This story could be used to teach about being gullible or literal, or about the difference between knowing the future and making predictions.
April 12, 2019
This is picture book in a style similar to a comic book or graphic novel. The two main characters are two noodles named Mac and Mac. They have an Uncle Ziti, so we can guess that Mac and Mac is a reference to Mac and cheese as they are both shaped like macaroni noodles. Mac and Mac are convinced that the other characters can see the future. Really they are just making silly decisions and can't see what the end result will be. I can see how this book would be amusing to children, but I'm not a fan. I don't usually like books where the humor lies in the stupidity of the characters. However, I can see that it would be a useful tool in my classroom. It has chapters but in a comic book format so it's a good way for students to get used to chapter books. I can see how it would be a good tool for students to start predicting what will come next in the story. I would only use it for younger grades like 1st or 2nd, because I wouldn't want to teach older students that it's okay to taunt your friends when they do something ridiculous.
October 27, 2018
Noodle Heads See the Future is a cute book about two noodleheads, Mac and Mac, who are determined to get firewood for their mom in hopes that she will bake them a cake. They are so determined that they are about to saw off the branch of wood that they are sitting on until Meatball comes around and tells them that they will fall, which they do, and bruise their bottoms. Because of that, they think that Meatball can tell the future, which allows Meatball to make get them to dig a lot of holes for their mom’s garden. This book has simple text, but some words are larger, which will help children to learn to read larger words with more syllables. The illustrations are very creative and help provide the humor this story brings. When I read this story to my future class, I will ask them if there ever was a time they had to do a favor for their mom/parents for a reward. I think children will really enjoy this and relate to it.
November 21, 2018
Noodleheads See the Future, the second book in the series, takes readers on a fun adventure that is broken off into 3 parts. In the beginning, we get to see exactly how hollow-headed these two brothers, Mac and Mac, really are. Driven by a love for cake, the two brothers go into the woods to find firewood for their mother. While there, they are tricked by their cousin Meatball into giving up all their firewood. Even though they lost their wood, Mac and Mac still manage to impress their mother into baking them some cake. This book is fitting for younger ages, as it is a very easy read and is filled with comedic situations that may be uninteresting to older students. The story is very fun and due to this, I would recommend having this book as either an independent read, or read for fun as a read aloud.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews