Age: Preschool-1st grade
Family: Grandfather, granddaughter
Location: China
Food: Making your own noodles

Mei's grandfather has a magical way with noodles, creating a variety of objects like kite strings and jump ropes (he never does make food with it, though...). When the emperor's birthday approaches, Granpa puts all his faith in Mei, giving her the reins to create long-life noodles for the emperor. But Mei has never made noodle magic before--especially not by herself! I wish the ending put a little more accountability in Mei because she learns that she can do it herself by playing a game of tug-o-war with the Moon goddess and then the noodles snap in half, raining noodles on the town [*drools*]. To me, it seems more like an accident than Mei's magical creation. The story is still fun and readable, though!