Noodles on a Bicycle

Noodles on a Bicycle, written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Gracey Zhang, celebrates the demae, the delivery riders who once pedaled through Japanese cities balancing tall stacks of noodle bowls and trays. To a group of neighborhood children, these cyclists are local heroes, as skilled and daring as circus performers. Inspired, the children try balancing dishes of their own, with messy and funny results. The story is set in the decades when bicycle deliveries were part of everyday life in Japan, roughly the 1930s through the 1970s, and Zhang's lively art captures streets full of motion. A satisfying surprise waits at the end of the day. The book received a 2025 Caldecott Honor and appeals to readers who love bikes, food and a bit of slapstick.