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Noodle & Lou

Illustrated by Arthur Howard

About The Book

Noodle and Lou are unlikely friends. One is a worm and one is a bird. When Noodle is having a bad day, Lou knows just what to say to cheer up his wormy friend and help him see what it means to be liked just the way you are.

About The Author

Photograph © Sarah Bork Hamilton

Liz Garton Scanlon is the author of numerous celebrated picture books, including One Dark Bird; In the CanyonHappy Birthday, Bunny!; the Caldecott Honor recipient All the World; and Thank You, Garden. Liz is an adjunct professor of creative writing at Austin Community College, and her poetry has been published widely in literary journals. She lives with her family in Austin, Texas. Visit her at LizGartonScanlon.com.

About The Illustrator

Arthur Howard is the illustrator of the Mr. Putter & Tabby series, Gooseberry Park series, and Motor Mouse series by Cynthia Rylant; Goatilocks and the Three Bears by Erica S. Perl; Noodle & Lou by Liz Garton Scanlon; and his own picture books including My Creepy Valentine, My Dream Dog, and When I Was Five. He lives in New York City.

Product Details

Raves and Reviews

"Odds are good that even the littlest listeners can recognize how much having a good buddy can improve a bad mood, but it seems likely that adults will pick this up for the message while kids will prefer to pore over the pictures. Chirpy, instructive and fun."--Kirkus Reviews

"The healing properties of friendship are on child-friendly display here...Every kid should have a friend like Lou, and Noodle and Lou’s story shows just how it can be done."--Booklist


"This is a feel-good book about looking on the bright side with a little help from a friend.... Told in rhyming couplets, the story of friend helping friend is illustrated in bright watercolors with each object surrounded by a thick black outline. The pictures are filled with humorous details, including worms with sunglasses, acorn-top hats, and earphones. Although Noodle laments having no eyes, beak, feet, etc., his mood is lifted, literally, by his special bond with Lou."

--School Library Journal, May 2011

Awards and Honors

  • Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Selection Title

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Liz Garton Scanlon

More books from this illustrator: Arthur Howard