The Good Witch is a popular television drama that has gained a loyal following since it first premiered in 2015. The show is based on the Good Witch movie franchise, which began in 2008. It follows the life of Cassie Nightingale, a mysterious and enchanting woman who moves to the small town of Middleton. The main idea of the show revolves around themes of magic, love, and self-discovery. Cassie, played by Catherine Bell, is known for her intuitive abilities and her knack for helping others. She often uses her magical powers to bring joy and healing to those around her.
She often uses her magical powers to bring joy and healing to those around her. One of the key aspects of the show is the strong sense of community that is woven into the storyline. Middleton is depicted as a tight-knit and supportive town, with residents who are always willing to lend a helping hand.
Review: Magic Ramen By Wang & Urbanowicz
There has been an interesting theme in some of my recent favorite picture books: food! We have a handful from the library currently and are just adoring them. And bonus, several of them include recipes too! So this week, I’m going to take some time to review our favorites (and hopefully we’ll try the recipes too!)
First up today is a book for noodle lovers! This is the story of Momofuku Ando who persistently experimented for over a year to invent instant ramen. Grab a bowl of delicious noodles and take a look at Magic Ramen by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Kana Urbanowicz, 2019.
The story covers about 12 years of Ando’s life, beginning a few years after the end of World War II as Osaka, Japan continued to recover. Ando is appalled to see people starving, waiting in long lines for hours for bowls of ramen. He determines to make food his life’s work, longing to create a peaceful world by making sure everyone has enough to eat.
After several failed business endeavors, Ando himself was penniless and still thinking about the people waiting for food. He sets out to find a way to make ramen quicker and much cheaper and more nutritious. He experimented for a year, trying different methods, gaining inspiration from various places, and failing again and again… until finally, magic ramen is invented!
I was charmingly surprised by this book. Who would have thought the story of ramen’s invention could be so enthralling? Now, I must admit, we are not an instant ramen family. We are very much a ramen restaurant family, where the broth has been cooked for hours and the noodles are fresh and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. This book was actually a very humorous read for my New Yorker children who have only ever had fancy ramen (and adore it.) I think they were slightly appalled at the idea of instant ramen when restaurants serving ramen abound in our city. But, we’ll get some soon and let them experience it for themselves.
What I love about this book though, not only does it introduce me to Momofuku Ando and his invention, which I never thought twice about in college; but it also shows the perseverance and creativity that inventing something takes. It is exhausting just reading about all his ideas and attempts, but that only leads to feeling such excitement with him when he finally succeeds!
Andrea Wang did a lovely job sharing a long, tedious story with just the right pace. And I really appreciate the author’s note, pronunciation guide, and afterword in the back, giving a larger overview and a bit of back matter to the true story.
But my favorite part is always the art and Kana Urbanowicz has created an immensely fun story through her illustrations. The style borders on graphic novel and works so wonderfully with the ink outlines and muted, limited color palette. I love her style and especially the pages with six panels that show an experimentation process Ando took.
Hope you enjoyed this first food picture book for the week. And if you enjoy ramen in any form, you’ll love this story.
MAGIC RAMEN: The Story of Momofuku Ando
written by Andrea Wang
illustrated by Kana Urbanowicz
published by little bee books, March 2019
Picture Book Biography for ages 4-8, 40 pp.
*Includes Author’s Note, Pronunciation Guide, and Afterword
**Starred Review from School Library Journal**
Cassie's presence in the town further strengthens these connections, as she helps to bring the community together and solve various problems that arise. Throughout the series, Cassie's magical powers and her intuitive nature are both a source of fascination and skepticism for the townspeople. While some embrace her abilities and seek her guidance, others question her motives and view her as an outsider. This dynamic adds an element of tension and conflict to the show, as Cassie must navigate her way through the complexities of being a mystical figure in a small town. In addition to Cassie, there are several other key characters in the show that play crucial roles in the storyline. Her daughter, Grace, is a talented young woman who inherited her mother's magical abilities. The relationship between Cassie and Grace is a central focus of the show, as they navigate the challenges of their shared powers and their individual quests for self-discovery. Another important character is Sam, a doctor who becomes a love interest for Cassie. Their blossoming relationship adds a romantic element to the show and further explores the themes of love and connection. Overall, The Good Witch is a heartwarming and feel-good television drama that explores themes of magic, love, and self-discovery. The show has a devoted fan base and continues to captivate viewers with its enchanting storyline and endearing characters. Whether you are a fan of magic or simply enjoy a good dose of positivity and community, The Good Witch is definitely worth a watch..
Reviews for "The Good Witch and the Power of Positive Thinking"
1. John - 1 star - "I found 'The Good Witch' to be incredibly boring and predictable. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, and the storylines were unoriginal and uninspiring. I couldn't connect with any of the characters or their struggles, which made it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, I was disappointed with this television drama and would not recommend it to others."
2. Emily - 2 stars - "While 'The Good Witch' had a promising premise, I found that it fell flat in its execution. The writing was lackluster, with clichéd dialogue and predictable plot twists. The characters lacked development and were often frustratingly inconsistent. Additionally, the pacing was slow, making it difficult to stay invested in the story. Overall, I didn't find this television drama to be particularly enjoyable or memorable."
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars - "I had high hopes for 'The Good Witch,' but unfortunately, it failed to live up to my expectations. The acting was subpar, and the chemistry between the characters felt forced and artificial. The storylines lacked depth and complexity, feeling more like a series of lighthearted and predictable Hallmark movies than a captivating television drama. While it had its moments, overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unimpressed."
4. David - 1 star - "I found 'The Good Witch' to be extremely cheesy and unrealistic. The characters were too perfect and lacked any sort of flaws or depth, making it difficult to relate to or invest in their stories. The plotlines were predictable, with little to no surprises or twists. Additionally, the dialogue felt contrived and forced, often leaving me cringing. Overall, I would not recommend this television drama to anyone looking for a more realistic and engaging viewing experience."
5. Jessica - 2 stars - "As much as I wanted to enjoy 'The Good Witch,' I found it to be overly saccharine and formulaic. The show relied too heavily on clichés and offered little in terms of originality. The storylines lacked depth and complexity, making it difficult to feel invested in the characters or their journeys. While it had its moments of charm, overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and unimpressed. Not something I would recommend for those seeking a more thought-provoking and innovative television drama."