April 2, 2025
When Kyo and Gracey team up I am on board! They collaborated on one of my favorite books of all time, The Big Bath House. Gracey also illustrated another favorite of mine, Nigel and the Moon, and Kyo wrote The Liszts and I could go on and on but this isn’t a fan girl account. JK. This is totally a fan girl account.
It’s not hyperbolic to say I gasped when I saw these end papers. They feature real photos of the demae (deliverymen) in mid century Tokyo delivering their towering trays of noodles. This is based on a practice during the 1930’s-1970’s when restaurants would send demae out with towering wooden boxes holding ceramic bowls of hot steaming noodles to factories, office buildings, students at university, and to homes. There’s a story to help the reader along the journey of the demae, but to me it barely needed it. It was that fascinating.
Noodles on a Bicycle is a transportive book that takes you to Tokyo in a short span of time when demae were everywhere. I don’t recommend reading this book on an empty belly. It was a completely immersive read with history, gorgeous paintings, and Kyo writes some of the best and most colorful sentences.
Bits and Pieces: The art was created using ink and gouache paint. Gracey’s work is a delight to the eyes and the details keep you rereading. For more depth on Kyo and Gracey’s research and inspiration, check out their interview with Betsy Bird HERE.
Not Sure About: This book will make you hungry.
Favorite Part: This line:
“In the night garden, the empty boxes and bowls are stacked.
One tray on top of another.
On top of another.
Rinsed wet and slick.
Not a scrap left.”
The author’s note is a great addition and there’s a glossary.
*This book just received a Caldecott Honor! Congratulations Kyo and Gracey!
