Noodles on a Bicycle

Noodles on a Bicycle by Kyo Maclear & Gracey Zhang is an absolute delight! My class was captivated by the incredible skill of the demae—delivery cyclists balancing towering trays of soba noodles as they weaved through Tokyo’s streets. Their admiration was so deep that they tried to imitate them during playtime!

The historic photos showing real-life cyclists with their impressive noodle stacks made for fascinating discussions, and the author’s notes gave us so much insight into this amazing tradition. Though I didn’t grow up in Japan, soba noodles have always been a personal favorite—especially cold in a refreshing soba salad! Learning about the history of these bicycle deliveries made me appreciate them even more.

My students’ curiosity didn’t stop with the book—our conversations led us to watching videos of modern-day demae in action! A 2025 Caldecott Honor Book for a reason, this beautifully illustrated tribute to an unsung profession is a must-read!