Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando

Written by Andrea Wang

Illustrated by Kana Urbanowicz

New York, NY: Little Bee Books, 2019. Biography Picture Book

I'll bet the last time you slurped up instant ramen noodles, you didn't think about where that perfectly tasty and warm cup of soup came from. The story is much more heart-warming than you'd expect.

Momofuku Ando lived in Osaka, Japan just after World War II had ended. He saw the devastation that lingered years after the terrible war. It left people hungry and poor. Ando wanted to help those in need. The thought motivated him to come up with a simple solution to feed people and he worked for twelve years to perfect his recipe for ramen noodle soup that would only take a couple of minutes to cook and required no more than hot water.

This beautiful, Japanese-styled picture book takes us through the journey of one man who wanted to help the war-devastated people of his country. Now, decades later, his products are known around the world and his company feeds the poor and homeless who have suffered all kinds of calamities.

Comments

Review: Faker

Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...

Display: Flowers

The Language of Flowers Written by Shyala Smith Illustrated by Aaron Paul Asis United Kingdom: Lantana Publishing Ltd., 2024. Picture Book. Juhi loves helping her Appa sell flowers to the local community. In Appa's flower shop, Juhi knows the language of love--lilies for affection, irises for hugs and kisses. She knows the language of faith--frangipani for full moon days, red hibiscus for the temple. She knows the language of celebration--daffodils for the newborn, peonies for a birthday cake. But when her Appa tells her that her favorite customer has passed away, she does not know the language of grief. While Appa makes a bouquet of lilies and orchids to bring to Mr. Potter's funeral, Juhi decides to make him one final bouquet of her own. Which flowers will she choose to remember a man who was always so full of life? --Publisher The Weedflower Written by Elizabeth Davaze Illustrated by Marianne Ferrer Toronto; Berkeley, CA: Owlkids Books, 2024. Picture Book. A modern schoolya...

Display: Under Construction

Construction Site: Road Crew, Coming Through! Written by Sherri Duskey Rinker Illustrated by AG Ford San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2021. Picture Book. Told in rhyming text, seven new road-building machines set out on a job--building, rolling, paving, and painting a brand new road. --Editor Diggersaurs By Michael Whaite New York: Random House, 2019. Picture Book. Bigger than diggers or dinosaurs, a crew of diggersaurs rumble, crunch, and stack their way through a busy day at the construction site. --Editor Cranky Written by Phuc Tran Illustrated by Pete Oswald New York: Harper, 2024. Picture Book. Cranky is feeling, well, cranky. But don't ask why. Because you know what doesn't help when you're feeling cranky? Everyone asking you what's wrong! Is there anything that will help? Find out in this irresistible story about big trucks, big feelings, and even bigger friendships. --Publisher Does a Bulldozer Have a Butt? Written by Derick Wilder Illustrated by K-Fai Steele...

Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Search This Blog