Book Review of The Difference Between Needles and Noodles
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The Children’s Book Review
The Difference Between Needles and Noodles
Written by Jon-Barrett Ingels
Illustrated by Patrick Ballesteros
Ages 4-6 | 44 Pages
Publisher: Piper and Enza | ISBN-13: 9798985174311
What to Expect: Friendship, overcoming fear, medical injections, health, and wellness
Are you afraid of shots? Then you absolutely need to hear the story of The Shot That Was Heard Around the World! Piper’s friend Maritza is going on a special trip abroad, but she has to be vaccinated before she can go. Maritza is terrified of needles and shots! Luckily, Piper is ready to help with one of her famous historical stories. When that doesn’t work, she reminds Maritza about all the cool things we need needles for, from pine trees to record players. And, just to be clear, she illustrates why “needles” are definitely not the same as “noodles”—but noodles can help in a surprising way.
From the author-illustrator team that gave us Running of the Noses comes another fun and funny Piper story to help readers overcome their medical anxieties. The story validates the anxiety many kids (and adults!) may have about needles and injections but also seeks to reassure and alleviate those fears. Piper is a lively character with an infectiously fun personality, and the dynamic cartoon illustrations perfectly suit her larger-than-life storytelling. Tips and facts for readers and parents to help with needle anxiety are woven through the story and in an instructional Q&A at the end of the book. There’s even a musical score … for Yankee Noodle Dandy!
Overall, The Difference Between Needles and Noodles is entertaining and reassuring—perfect for needle-haters of all ages.
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About the Author
After finishing his education at Chapman University, Jon-Barrett Ingels moved to Los Angeles, where he developed, produced, and performed in multiple stage productions for regional theaters in and around the area. He has written and produced independent films and developed web series at the onset of the medium. He produced and hosted over 250 educational podcast episodes, including a series for the California State Library and for Chapman University. He worked as a writer for Flaunt Magazine, and his first book, How To Succeed By Failing, was published in 2015.
Jon-Barrett currently works in development, creating television and streaming series, miniseries, and feature films.
About the Illustrator
Patrick Ballesteros is an international artist and educator who specializes in creating images that bring a smile to your face. He has worked as an illustrator and character designer on a variety of fun projects for Disney TVA, Nickelodeon Press, Capstone Press, Dreamworks TV, Bravo, Amazon, and DC Comics. Along with those projects, Patrick has been invited to speak and guest lecture at international festivals and events like Comic-Con International San Diego, Sketching Lab Costa Rica, Comic-Con Colombia, and Comic-Con Panamá. His illustration work was highlighted in the film Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass and The Late Late Show with James Corden.
When he is not drawing, he is usually sketching : ) Other than that you will find him drinking boba, making his own line of toys, introducing his son to classic 1980s cartoons and movies, or secretly working on a Filipino superhero comic book.
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