Noodle

by Munro Leaf, Ludwig Bemelmans (Illustrator)

Noodle is a little dog who's very long from front to back and very short from top to bottom, which makes it hard for him to dig for bones. One day Noodle finds a wishbone, and the dog fairy arrives with a flip-flap of wings to grant him a "What size and shape do you want to be?" Noodle asks all the animals at the zoo what he should wish for, only to discover he might just be perfect -- exactly the way he is. Originally published in 1937 by children's book greats Ludwig Bemelmans and Munro Leaf, NOODLE is a classic with a quiet wisdom that continues to hold true today.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Dogs, Pets, Kids

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1937

About the author

Wilbur Monroe Leaf AKA Munro Leaf, author and illustrator of dozens of children’s books.

He is best remembered for his signature character, Ferdinand, the Spanish bull who preferred smelling flowers to fighting in a ring in Spain. Composed in less than an hour one Sunday afternoon in 1935, the book sparked controversy. With the Spanish Civil War raging, political critics charged that it was a satirical attack on aggression. In Germany, the book was burned; in India, Ghandi called it his favorite. Even today, Ferdinand continues to charm children around the world—the story has been translated into over 60 languages.

Reviews

[Kathryn]

Noodle pairs up two picture book notables with Munro Leaf as the author and Ludwig Bemelmans as illustrator. It's a cute enough little picture book (my four-year-old wanted to read it the minute he saw it; Noodle is certainly endearing) and I adore the creative text lay out -- the way the words pitter and patter go up and down and up and down as he walks, or the curve of the words like a giraffe's neck in the scene with the giraffe. Still, it's missing something... I like the message of accepting who you are not not trying to be something you're not... but a few dots simply aren't connected. If Noodle was unhappy with his size and shape because he didn't feel he could dig well enough, then goes and speaks with several animals who can't dig at all but think their shape is just right for what they do, how does that help his situation with digging at all? There needed to be something where he decides he can dig well enough, after all, since he found the magic wishbone while digging... something to that effect. As it is, it just doesn't quite feel complete.

[Sophie]

Oh I wish I could say I liked this book without any hesitation and give it at least three stars, but I can't. It was cute, and I'm all for self-acceptance morals, but this was lacking just a smidge. I would have really liked to see two more pages to show why Noodle decided his size worked for him - rather than implying that because other animals are suited for their shapes, he must be too. Leaf just doesn't bridge that gap with his story.

[Nancy Kotkin]

A classic I remember fondly from my childhood. Wordy by today's picture book standards, but then it was originally published in 1937. The conclusion comes about a bit too rapidly, without showing Noodle's thought process that leads to his decision. Theme is self-acceptance.

[J]

A cute although really outdated book....

Noodle tells the story of a dachshund who wants to be a different shape and size so he can more easily dig up bones. Fortunately while he is digging up a bone, which happens to be a wishbone, he gets a chance to have his wish granted.

The book is rather a bit lengthy for a much younger children's book but the writing is simple with the exception of some animal names that some children may struggle with at first. Otherwise the story is rather cute while repetitive in some places so that way readers may see the thought that Noodle is putting into his upcoming wish, which I think is rather a wise message to share with children.

I am curious as to why most of the vintage books and films all choose the answer can be found in zoos but at least it allows various animals to be included. Weirdly, though, the zebra wants to pull a wagon and the ostrich is stereotyped as a silly bird who likes to hides its head in the sand, which has been debunked so many times. Furthermore the zoo is rather a time capsule zoo as I call it so some readers may find that offensive in this politically sensitive time.

Finally the illustrations are cute while a bit one-sided when it comes to the color palette. Furthermore not much detail is given thus Noodle is just a bit longer but so is the zebra, the wings don't look like wings and the giraffe bends like a Stretch Armstrong.

All in all if your child may enjoy some vintage books or if you have a dachshund house than this may be a fun book to share with your little one(s).

[Luisa Knight]

A little dog learns that the size and shape you are are just right for you.

Ages: 4 - 8

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!

Visit my website!

[Ivan]

Picked this up because I have an affinity for classic picture/story books - this one of by Munro Leaf of The Story of Ferdinand and illustrated by the great Ludwig Bemelmans. A fanciful little story of coming to appreciate yourself just as you are.

[Aneesa]

Even this author/illustrator team couldn't save this plot.

[Siskiyou-Suzy]

What a cute little book -- though I think that if Noodle had any sense, he'd think about correcting the problems that plague him. You know, like being a little taller or a little shorter, instead of thinking only of zoo animals. Noodle isn't that smart. But he learns to be happy with what he has, and that's a decent message since, you know, fairy dogmothers aren't real and you kinda have to accept your height.

[Shiloah]

We enjoyed a new-to-us classic children's book this morning. Noodle is a Dachshund on a journey to discover that he really is perfect just as he is.

[Cheryl]

Very cute, but not unexpectedly out-of-step with current fashion in picture-books. Still, I love the way the doggie walks from one scene to another.

[Rose Rosetree]

Noodle is a classic. And not just any noodle or pasta but a loveable dog who has been given that name.

Noodle's shape is distinctive. He's very tall -- or long, since he stands on all four paws. He's also very short.

Living with this combination of shape characteristics? He sure finds it hard to dig for bones. Probably he's not destined to succeed at natural selection.

However, as the plot would have it, Noodle is given the right to a wish... to be granted to him by a fine dog fairy.

That fairy asks him, "What size and shape do you want to be?"

Hmmmmm. What will Noodle do now?

Clever-and-stylish illustrations by Ludwig Bemelmans turn this book into a FIVE STAR read. While the story, by Munro Leaf, is lively and relatable. Awesome!

[Gavin]

The story of Noodle brought to you by the creator of Ferdinand and the creator of Madeline. What could be better than a dog story by these two? Worthy of any child's collection, and a fine learning moral to be found within.

[Melissa Namba]

A cute story about a wiener dog who wants to be a different shape. He goes to the zoo and asks for opinions, but finds that his size and shape it ideal for him. Slightly wordy, but parents can paraphrase for toddlers.

[Drin]

This book was so sweet!

[Trish]

A great book for repetition.

[Heidi Burkhart]

This sweet little book is dated, however Bemelmans’ illustrations are noteworthy.

I am the first to admit that anything with a dachshund on the cover gets preferential treatment from me.

[Sasha]

Read aloud to the kids. This was a surprisingly good book. We really enjoyed it.

[M.]

It was a good read with great illustrations.

[Ann Losinski]

A cute story - enjoyed reading this with my son.

[Diana Salazar]

Not asking the ostrich anything because it had its head in the ground was the smartest choice ever.

[Emerson and Theodore]

Noodle is a dachshund who thinks he would like to be taller so that he can dig better bones. But in the end he decides to stay just as he is. Lesson of being comfortable in your own skin. Saw this book at the ny museum on bemelman. Artwork is simplistic.

[Sally]

There's a moral to his books. This one is: you'll be happiest being just who you are.

[Alexa]

Adorable! Beautiful illustration!

[Jen]

cute story line about accepting oneself the way you already are. The pictures were ok.

[Cheryl]

Good story about being yourself.

[Charlotte]

I love classic children's stories. This one was cute but a little too obvious, even for the preschool listener.

[Moriah]

My favorite book as a child. Ever.

[Oscar]

Lovely and fun

[Ashley]

I heart Noodle!

[Alex Valencic]

Dachshund are great diggers, which is the only reason this story about being happy with who you are gets four stars from me instead of five.