The Difference between Needles and Noodles

Piper and her friends are back for another sweet, action-packed tale!

Piper's pal Maritza has to get a shot and she is NOT looking forward to it.

Luckily, Piper is on deck and ready to tell her about all the ways that needles are cool and useful, instead of scary. Along the way, we also find out the difference between needles and noodles, learn a hilarious new song "Yankee Noodle Dandy," and join Enza for an epic space adventure.

Don't miss the second book in the Piper + Enza playdate series, which helps kids learn more about why people get shots, ways they can prepare, and useful coping strategies.

This story includes a parents' guide from Certified Child Life Specialist Katie Taylor to help grown-ups utilize the book to best support their little ones.

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From The Children's Book Review:

"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."

From Kirkus Review:

"In this picture book, a group of children helps a friend overcome her fear of an upcoming vaccination.

Through humorous storytelling and visuals, Ingels and illustrator Ballesteros approach a child's dread of shots at the doctor's office by demystifying the scary word needle. A little girl named Piper learns that her friend Maritza is afraid of getting a shot and leaps into action, putting on a show with her "Backyard Players." When naming all kinds of needles (pine needles, sewing needles, "pins and needles," and more) doesn't quite do the trick, Piper's friend Camille gives Maritza the key to dispelling her fear. Camille's noodle bowl costume and a clever version of "Yankee Doodle Dandy" (lyrics included) come into play. Rendered in what appears to be ink and marker, Ballesteros' comic book-style panels are alive with giggly details (a medical office overflows with noodles in bowls, on desks, and on examining tables; a space-adventure comic strip is a story within the story).

This book provides shot-phobic kids with a fun, genuinely useful coping tool."