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Dragon Noodle Party
Join the animals of the zodiac as they make noodles for a party in this festive book from an award-winning author and food editor.
It’s almost time for the party! One-by-one all the animals of the zodiac go up the hill, each one carrying an ingredient. Horse trots up the hill with a big wok. Goat strolls up the hill with wild onions.
Except for snake, that is. It’s his birthday! All of his friends have prepared long noodles to celebrate his long and happy life. Simple text is paired with delightful, friendly art in this joyous look at the Chinese tradition of preparing long noodles to celebrate birthdays, the New Year, and other festive occasions.
A kid-friendly recipe for how to make Dragon Beard Noodles, a dish popular in Northern China, is included as well as a note on the Chinese Zodiac.
It’s almost time for the party! One-by-one all the animals of the zodiac go up the hill, each one carrying an ingredient. Horse trots up the hill with a big wok. Goat strolls up the hill with wild onions.
Except for snake, that is. It’s his birthday! All of his friends have prepared long noodles to celebrate his long and happy life. Simple text is paired with delightful, friendly art in this joyous look at the Chinese tradition of preparing long noodles to celebrate birthdays, the New Year, and other festive occasions.
A kid-friendly recipe for how to make Dragon Beard Noodles, a dish popular in Northern China, is included as well as a note on the Chinese Zodiac.
40 pages, Paperback
First published December 13, 2022
About the author
Ying Chang Compestine
26 books138 followersA leading national authority on culture and cuisine, award-winning author, and former food editor for Martha Stewart's Whole Living magazine, Ying Chang Compestine has written 27 books across multiple genres, including picture books, YA novels, and healthy adult cookbooks. She has hosted cooking shows, worked as a food editor for Martha Stewart’s Body+Soul, and was a spokesperson for Nestle Maggi and Celestial Seasonings.
Her novel "Revolution is Not a Dinner Party" and her memoir "Growing Up Under a Red Flag" recount her childhood during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. These works have received awards globally and high praise from prestigious media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and Publisher's Weekly. Her novel "A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts" is currently being adapted into an animated TV series.
Named one of the "50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading" by The Author's Show, her books have sold worldwide in multiple languages. Endorsed by Dr. Andrew Weil, her cookbook "Cooking with an Asian Accent" has been described as “a contemporary new cuisine.”
Ying believes food can be both healthy and delicious and that healthy eating is the key to a long, happy life. By integrating her background into her recipe creation, she features the three most critical Asian principles of food in her dishes: satisfaction of the senses, yin-yang balance, and medicinal properties.
In addition to writing, Ying has been a sought-after keynote speaker for high-end cruise ships, private jets, and resorts, including The World Residences at Sea, Crystal, Silver Sea, Viking, TCS World Travel, and Canyon Ranch. Ying is also frequently invited to speak at schools and conferences worldwide to share her journey as a writer—how her life in Wuhan, China, inspired her work—and to promote healthy eating and living. Her website is www.yingc.com
Her novel "Revolution is Not a Dinner Party" and her memoir "Growing Up Under a Red Flag" recount her childhood during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. These works have received awards globally and high praise from prestigious media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and Publisher's Weekly. Her novel "A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts" is currently being adapted into an animated TV series.
Named one of the "50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading" by The Author's Show, her books have sold worldwide in multiple languages. Endorsed by Dr. Andrew Weil, her cookbook "Cooking with an Asian Accent" has been described as “a contemporary new cuisine.”
Ying believes food can be both healthy and delicious and that healthy eating is the key to a long, happy life. By integrating her background into her recipe creation, she features the three most critical Asian principles of food in her dishes: satisfaction of the senses, yin-yang balance, and medicinal properties.
In addition to writing, Ying has been a sought-after keynote speaker for high-end cruise ships, private jets, and resorts, including The World Residences at Sea, Crystal, Silver Sea, Viking, TCS World Travel, and Canyon Ranch. Ying is also frequently invited to speak at schools and conferences worldwide to share her journey as a writer—how her life in Wuhan, China, inspired her work—and to promote healthy eating and living. Her website is www.yingc.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
December 21, 2022
The illustrations are super cute! There isn't much of a story to this, but the simple sentences and repetitive structure will make this work well for babies and toddlers.
May 10, 2023
så fin!!!! tack till högsbo bibliotek som skyltade med denna :)
August 29, 2024
All 12 zodiac animals gather for Snake’s party. It’s good for very young kids, due to the lack of plot. I enjoyed the author’s note and that the book included the recipe the zodiac animals had made.
December 23, 2022
A perfect book to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year! One by one, the animals of the Chinese zodiac get up a hill to celebrate a secret event - I won’t spoil it, but it involves yummy noodles, with a recipe included at the end of the book.
Compestine’s sparse, clever text is paired wonderfully with Ang’s joyous, vibrant art. If you’re looking for a fun and educational read-aloud everyone can enjoy, this is it.
Compestine’s sparse, clever text is paired wonderfully with Ang’s joyous, vibrant art. If you’re looking for a fun and educational read-aloud everyone can enjoy, this is it.
May 14, 2024
"Dragon Noodle Party" by Ying Chang Compestine is a delightful and vibrant picture book that brings the spirit of Chinese New Year to life. The repetitive writing style is engaging and rhythmic, making it a joy to read aloud and perfect for young listeners who will love chiming in with the repeating phrases.
The colorful illustrations are a feast for the eyes, bursting with life and energy, perfectly complementing the festive theme of the story. Each page is a visual treat that captures the excitement and cultural richness of the celebration.
I especially appreciated the thoughtful additions at the end of the book: the recipe for Longevity Noodles, which adds an interactive and educational element, allowing families to extend the fun into their kitchens. The inclusion of a zodiac chart is also a wonderful touch, providing an educational glimpse into Chinese culture and traditions.
Overall, "Dragon Noodle Party" is a beautifully crafted book that combines fun, education, and cultural appreciation, making it a fantastic addition to any child's bookshelf.
The colorful illustrations are a feast for the eyes, bursting with life and energy, perfectly complementing the festive theme of the story. Each page is a visual treat that captures the excitement and cultural richness of the celebration.
I especially appreciated the thoughtful additions at the end of the book: the recipe for Longevity Noodles, which adds an interactive and educational element, allowing families to extend the fun into their kitchens. The inclusion of a zodiac chart is also a wonderful touch, providing an educational glimpse into Chinese culture and traditions.
Overall, "Dragon Noodle Party" is a beautifully crafted book that combines fun, education, and cultural appreciation, making it a fantastic addition to any child's bookshelf.
January 17, 2023
For more bookish thoughts, see my blog: Craft-Cycle
A sweet story about the animals of the Chinese zodiac preparing for a party.
While the book is simple, it is a pleasure to read, especially for a young audience. The illustrations are delightful. Works well for discussing the Chinese zodiac, various animals, action labels, and ingredients.
The backmatter contains an Author's Note with information on the tradition of serving long noodles on birthdays, the legend and characteristics of the animals of the Chinese zodiac, and a recipe for dragon beard noodles. The opening page lists years of each animal sign starting from 1998, allowing young readers to find the animal of their birth year and the corresponding characteristics.
A wonderful read with charming visuals and simple text.
A sweet story about the animals of the Chinese zodiac preparing for a party.
While the book is simple, it is a pleasure to read, especially for a young audience. The illustrations are delightful. Works well for discussing the Chinese zodiac, various animals, action labels, and ingredients.
The backmatter contains an Author's Note with information on the tradition of serving long noodles on birthdays, the legend and characteristics of the animals of the Chinese zodiac, and a recipe for dragon beard noodles. The opening page lists years of each animal sign starting from 1998, allowing young readers to find the animal of their birth year and the corresponding characteristics.
A wonderful read with charming visuals and simple text.
March 10, 2023
It's almost time for the party! One-by-one all the animals of the zodiac go up the hill, each one carrying an ingredient. Horse trots up the hill with a big wok. Goat strolls up the hill with wild onions.
Except for snake, that is. It's his birthday! All of his friends have prepared long noodles to celebrate his long and happy life. Simple text is paired with delightful, friendly art in this joyous look at the Chinese tradition of preparing long noodles to celebrate birthdays, the New Year, and other festive occasions.
A kid-friendly recipe for how to make Dragon Beard Noodles, a dish popular in Northern China, is included as well as a note on the Chinese Zodiac.
At the beginning of each month, I would like to read a book about different birthday traditions. I would read this book during one of those months.
Except for snake, that is. It's his birthday! All of his friends have prepared long noodles to celebrate his long and happy life. Simple text is paired with delightful, friendly art in this joyous look at the Chinese tradition of preparing long noodles to celebrate birthdays, the New Year, and other festive occasions.
A kid-friendly recipe for how to make Dragon Beard Noodles, a dish popular in Northern China, is included as well as a note on the Chinese Zodiac.
At the beginning of each month, I would like to read a book about different birthday traditions. I would read this book during one of those months.
November 1, 2023
The animals of the Chinese Zodiac are bringing ingredients and equipment for a birthday party where they'll make and eat dragon noodle soup.
I like this imaginative twist on the typical Chinese zodiac animal tale by imagining it is one of the animal's birthdays. There's a recipe in the back of the book for dragon noodle soup and a little information on how it is traditional in Chinese culture to eat on birthdays. The illustrations are super cute, and the text is quick and simple, making this a good choice for even kids with short attention spans.
I like this imaginative twist on the typical Chinese zodiac animal tale by imagining it is one of the animal's birthdays. There's a recipe in the back of the book for dragon noodle soup and a little information on how it is traditional in Chinese culture to eat on birthdays. The illustrations are super cute, and the text is quick and simple, making this a good choice for even kids with short attention spans.
October 8, 2022
Delightfully fun and interesting. Noodles in any format are always a win. This book features all of the different animals of the zodiac bringing ingredients to celebrate the snake's birthday. They are making the traditional dish of long noodles which they give a kid friendly recipe for the dish as well as background information on the Chinese Zodiac in the back of the book. The tiger wearing a hat is probably my favorite illustration
May 11, 2023
[4.5/5 stars]
Each zodiac animal brings one thing (ingredient) up the hill and at the top of the hill, they put together their ingredients for a noodle party. Fun and with cute illustrations, I honestly can read anything about Zodiac animals. I adored the final notes and there's even a recipe of 'Dragon beard noodles' (extra-long noodles are typical to celebrate birthdays in Chinese tradition).
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own ]
Each zodiac animal brings one thing (ingredient) up the hill and at the top of the hill, they put together their ingredients for a noodle party. Fun and with cute illustrations, I honestly can read anything about Zodiac animals. I adored the final notes and there's even a recipe of 'Dragon beard noodles' (extra-long noodles are typical to celebrate birthdays in Chinese tradition).
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own ]
November 20, 2024
A darling story of animals of the Chinese Zodiac traveling up the hill with various food stuffs. But Snake doesn't take anything up the hill. Just himself. That's because the animals are throwing Snake a birthday celebration with dragon beard noodles.
A much needed picture book story about the animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Included author's note touches on the traditional birthday meal of dragon beard noodles and offers a simple explanation of each zodiac animals characteristics.
A much needed picture book story about the animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Included author's note touches on the traditional birthday meal of dragon beard noodles and offers a simple explanation of each zodiac animals characteristics.
October 7, 2025
We read this for our National Noodle day story time. All the animals of the Chinese zodiac carry various ingredients up the mountain...except Snake who arrives with nothing. The illustrations in this one are adorable! Some of my favorites were Tiger with his hat and Rat with his ginger. It also has some short information in the back about Chinese birthday parties, long life noodles, and the animals and characteristics of the Chinese zodiac as well as a recipe for Dragon Beard noodles.
February 20, 2026
Great pictures, and a fun little story. I'm a snake, so I was deeply invested in the quick rollercoaster of them showing up empty-handed and the reason why! what a delight. This one read very quickly for my older kid, fair warning that it's a sentence a page. a great bedtime book, as it was short and sweet and opened up the conversation for talking about the Lunar New Year and Chinese culture.
I picked this up because it's the turn of the year now, so let me with you a happy lunar new year!
I picked this up because it's the turn of the year now, so let me with you a happy lunar new year!
December 7, 2022
It's Snake's birthday and all his friends are coming together to make him long noodles to celebrate his life. This sweet book about the love of friends, culture, and cooking is a great introduction to Chinese Zodiac Animals, just in time for Chinese New Year. And I'm excited to have my kids try the Dragon Beard Noodles recipe in the back of the book.
January 24, 2023
A cute story introducing children to the animals of the Zodiac for New year. They're on their way to....well read and find out.
Cute story..the theme of the zodiac animals with the plot of where they're going threw me off, but I understand the author's intention. Simple vibrant illustrations by Paula Pang drive this book to its 3 stars!
Cute story..the theme of the zodiac animals with the plot of where they're going threw me off, but I understand the author's intention. Simple vibrant illustrations by Paula Pang drive this book to its 3 stars!
November 27, 2023
The animals of the Chinese Zodiac gather together for a surprise meal.
The back of the books gives some introductory information on the legend of the Chinese Zodiac animals. Living in Asia and being Asian-American, you hear about the Chinese Zodiac a lot, so this is a good book to introduce the meaning of it to young kids.
The back of the books gives some introductory information on the legend of the Chinese Zodiac animals. Living in Asia and being Asian-American, you hear about the Chinese Zodiac a lot, so this is a good book to introduce the meaning of it to young kids.
January 5, 2025
A simple, quick book that explores the Chinese Zodiac as well as birthday parties. Since Snake is the birthday animal, this would be a great book for a Lunar New Year themed Storytime in 2025 (which is how I intend to incorporate it in my library programs). Few words, cute illustrations; a great, quick book for later in a Storytime when wiggles are starting to set in.
January 4, 2023
A simple introduction to the Chinese Zodiac just in time for Chinese New Year. Each animal uniquely prepares for an exciting celebration. The colorful illustrations are vivid and engaging! This lighthearted story is an easy read for children and there’s a fun recipe at the end!
January 30, 2023
Dragon Noodle Party is an ideal and deceptively simple introduction to the animals representing each year in the Chinese calendar. An excellent read for preschool through early elementary students to learn a little about a beautiful culture and themselves at the same time.
August 12, 2023
The twelve members of the zodiac each bring an ingredient up the hill—all except one. But it's ok.
This is such a cute little story. The plot isn't all that interesting, but the ending is sweet, and it's a cozy way to introduce kids to the zodiac and a few Chinese traditions.
This is such a cute little story. The plot isn't all that interesting, but the ending is sweet, and it's a cozy way to introduce kids to the zodiac and a few Chinese traditions.
July 16, 2022
I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
December 17, 2022
This is so cute - I love the way the animals are personified, plus the party setting.
January 2, 2023
Boring.
January 5, 2023
This would be good for story time for the little guys
January 5, 2023
Each animal of the Chinese Zodiac brings an item to the party to make noodles for snake's birthday.
January 16, 2023
Cute story, gorgeous illustrations, plus history of Chinese zodiac, recipe...
January 18, 2023
Loved it! Perfect book for young kids to learn about Chinese new year
January 25, 2023
Wonderful illustrations, and works as a basic preschool story about a birthday party or a larger introduction to the Chinese calendar/dragon beard noodles. Adorable.
January 30, 2023
A very simple book and a short read but its nice. The art is colorful and its cool that it has a recipe at the end.
January 31, 2023
Adorable images of the Chinese zodiac.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews