Mac & Cheese: A Friendship Story That Celebrates Being Different

by James Proimos Jr.

Mac and Cheese are the very best of friends, but sometimes they have trouble understanding each other. Cheese is dazzled by Mac's big, big brain, and Mac is baffled by Cheese's artistic talent. But they soon learn that no amount of misunderstanding can get in the way of their unique friendship.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens, Humor, Food

40 pages, Hardcover

Published November 15, 2016

About the author

James Proimos Jr. has written and illustrated numerous children's books, including the critically acclaimed picture book Year of the Jungle by Suzanne Collins. He's a former writer and creator for television, and a dad.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes...and what joy their friendship has brought to us all over the years! Mac and Cheese - just the smell can bring back memories: but the lesson both Mac and Cheese teach us is that often we bring out the best in others - and friendship brings out a 'you' that you never would have known without your friend.

[Sushie · Rating 2 out of 5]

3 very silly stories

[Lilli Gilliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHY DOES EVERYONE HATE THIS???? I FOUND IT CUTE AND ENJOYABEL!!!

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graphic art and simple story make this easy for beginning readers. In fact, although it's shaped and laid out like a picture book, it is more akin to an early reader. The oversized pages feature story on left and pictures on right, as in chapter book formats. The entire book is broken into three sections (like a beginning reader), in this case, a breakfast, lunch, and dinner story. Each is linked through detail creating continuity. As evidenced by the dedication to Arnold Lobel and James Marshall, the creator must have intended to invent a series book of moral tales. An adequate first try lacking the sparkle of those classics.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. This friendship story falls flat for me.

[AMAR P · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delicious series of non sequiturs with a heart of pure golden insanity wrapped in an animus filled buddy comedy.

Early on when Cheese says "What's two plus B?" it becomes apparent we're not in Kansas anymore.

Half way through, it goes full on self aware meta:

"In your tummy? I'm outraged!" said Mac.
"Sometimes art should be OUTRAGEOUS," said Cheese.

Ending in a heartfelt head scratcher about friendship or possibly LSD or friends who take LSD together.

I've never felt so alive reading a children's book.

I don't remember buying this book or how it came to be on our bookshelf. It may have just appeared .....like The Babadook.

[Ashley Aolani Salisbury · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really really really really hate to give a book a very low rating. Never have I done two stars before, but this one was not the best read. It was not at all how I imagined it would be. I think it could have been a lot better if the jokes throughout made more sense. They were hard to understand and definitely above the level of a picture book reading child. It had potential to be very funny and cute at the same time but it missed the mark. I am extremely disappointed.

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read before shelving. Cute, but not my favorite. The storytelling was confusing at times, and a little abrupt and disjointed, but the illustrations were nice. I think it was trying too hard to be whimsical and just ended up falling flat.

Kids will probably enjoy it though.

[Geoffwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Feels like a reworked pitch for a Nick Toon, down to little 10 minute one act segments. A bit 'lol so random' for my blood but hey probably someone will read this one day while wearing an Invader Zim shirt.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recalling Frog and Toad, George and Martha, and a host of other quirky friendships, Proimos’ picture book celebrates the joy of camaraderie. Like many other literary odd couples, Mac and Cheese have contrasting temperaments that complement one another. Mac is a tall conservative noodle wearing glasses and a tie, while Cheese is a short blocky chunk of cheddar with a flair for creativity. The action takes place in three short vignettes--Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner--which highlight their differences while emphasizing their thoughtfulness towards each other. Readers may agree with Mac, when they see samples of Cheese’s unconventional art, that a painting of an orange should be round and, well, orange, not blue, or triangle shaped. But Cheese will win their hearts when he explains that Mac is the yellow smudge in his mural because he is the “brightest of all.” The large typeface and simple story make this a good entry for new readers while the bold, flat illustrations and zippy dialogue make it equally strong as a read-aloud. Share this with anyone who has a taste for silly with a touch of sweetness.

*Review copy from publisher for review in the Children's Literature Database.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a mess. The writing didn't make sense half the time and the illustrations weren't that good. Such a strange book

[Jenn Lopez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Again, I don't get it. It's funny, and weird, the illustrations are cool. I wouldn't read it for story time to the kids, though. Maybe I left my sense of humor at home today.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book frustrating - no character development, stories that didn't make sense.

[Bookthreat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read our review at https://bookthreat.com/2017/04/21/leg...

[Colorado Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute story. liked the message.

[Emma M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know that this story celebrates being different, but it was silly and full of awkward dad jokes. I didn't hate it, but wouldn't say it's a favorite.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one that is fine on the first read, but not likely to get a second reading. Joyful illustrations that are appealing to the preschooler page turner.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't even get through it.... Not my cup of tea at all.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three short stories about best friends Mac and Cheese who make a fun odd couple.

Breakfast--Cheese tests Mac's smarts by asking him basic questions and then combining 2 questions into a question so challenging that Mac struggles with the answer.

Lunch--Cheese explores his creative side with original artwork that challenge how his friends see the world.

Dinner--After witnessing Oil and Water argue, Mac and Cheese call it a night and appreciate each other in their vivid dreams.

Brush pen artwork finished digitally. I really liked that this book was dedicated to James Marshall and Arnold Lobel; I can definitely see their influence on the characters and plot.

PreK-2.

[Jenee (her/hers) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book and the dish :)

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I like macaroni and cheese more as a meal than as a picture book. Three short stories follow the challenges the two different friends, Mac and Cheese, face as they try to navigate around their differences. Although it's nice to see that they can work things out, doing so through conversations about what they know, like, and do as they are enjoying three different meals--breakfast, lunch, and dinner--didn't really work too well for me. I was amused, but only slightly. The illustrations, relying on brush pen on paper and then colored in Sketchbook, bring the two ingredients to life in a humorous way and show off their personalities. There is some amusing word play in the book's pages.

[Jessica Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just an okay book, in my opinion. Mac is kind of a know-it-all, and cheese always wants to please him because he's "always right". I don't think that the subtitle is really accurate; it doesn't have too much to do with celebrating the friendship being different, it KIND of celebrates Cheese being different (like painting things in colors that don't make sense), but Mac is kind of a jerk about it at first until Cheese compliments him in each of the three stories included in this book. Meh.

[Jennifer]

Silly friendship stories. Okay, but I am confused why a picture book format was selected. I think it's more suited for an easy reader format.

[Alyssa Mandell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very silly book about two friends, Mac and Cheese.

[Amy Hesterman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't quite get this...and I don't think my students will either. Something missing!

[talia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is basically nothing- what's the objective??? I don't get it.

[Coach D · Rating 4 out of 5]

We came to the end of this delightful book to find that it's dedicated to two of our favorite authors, James Marshall and Arnold Lobel. It's easy to see why.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a goofy book filled with Nickelodeon-style humor (or at least, what I remember as Nickelodeon -style humor) that grade-school aged kids will enjoy.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the idea of the book; but it didn't feel very straightforward while reading it. It felt oddly annoying and I wouldn't jump to read this one again.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mac wears glasses and a tie and Cheese wears a trucker hat and it gets funnier from there. During breakfast, lunch, and dinner, readers will delight over the hilarious antics of Mac, Cheese, and their friends. Cheese loves to ask questions, paint, and Mac is the smartest noodle around. We get to meet PB and Jay playing catch, Salt and Pepper who are art critics, and Oil and Water who are fighting over the weather. Perfect for any classroom or school library, guaranteed to keep kids giggling non-stop.
Reading Level: PS-2
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