Review: I Want to Be Spaghetti!

I Want to Be Spaghetti!
Written by Kiera Wright-Ruiz
Illustrated by Claudia Lam
New York: Kokila, 2023. Picture Book.

Ramen sits on a supermarket shelf and watches spaghetti noodles being chosen each and every day. They desperately wish they could be like spaghetti, but their attitude starts to shift once they're cooked. As a human prepares Ramen, they add chashu, an egg, narutomaki, and more! Ramen learns that they don't need to be spaghetti to be delicious or loved. Ramen learns to be proud of what makes them different, and that they are perfect just as they are.

This story is so cute, and the message behind the entire book is heartwarming and uplifting. Everyone is unique, just like the many variations of noodles, but that's what makes us special. The other ramen packages are a great addition to the story, even telling Ramen that "beauty can be found in diversity." This is a perfect picture book for anyone learning how to love themselves, and to remember how important and amazing our differences are.

Comments

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