Mrs. Noodlekugel by Daniel Pinkwater
Candlewick, April 24, 2012
I expect quite a lot from Daniel Pinkwater's books. Humor, good writing, and a plot of one sort of another. Mrs. Noodlekugel is a fabulous title that had me expecting a humorous and contemporary Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. Alas, it is not to be. Mrs. Noodlekugel's house is an architectural (but not literal) gingerbread cottage in a garden that is wedged in between skyscrapers. Nick and Maxine are tricked by their parents into finding her, only to be told that she is their new babysitter. The potential is here, as Mrs. Noodlekugel's house contains fairytalesque creatures, from four blind mice, to animated gingerbread creations, to a talking, piano-playing cat. But besides viewing these interesting characters, nothing happens, and readers are given a glance at an interesting world only to be denied an adventure in it.
People are so hung-up on plots. I blame TV and the movie industry. I mean, plots are ok in their place--but think about it...when you reflect on books you've loved do you think about the plot or the characters? If this one were known to have a sequel, a Part II, would you be less disappointed, (only perhaps frustrated)?
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