The Kennedy Curse is a term often used to describe the series of tragic events that have plagued the Kennedy family over the years. It refers to the numerous deaths, accidents, and other misfortunes that have befallen members of the Kennedy family, particularly those directly descended from Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Kennedy. The curse seems to have started with the tragic death of Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy Jr., the eldest son of Joseph and Rose Kennedy, during World War II. He was killed in action while serving as a Navy pilot in 1944.
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**
This was followed by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, a shocking event that sent shockwaves throughout the world. The Kennedy Curse continued with the deaths of several other family members, including Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968 while running for president. Ted Kennedy, the youngest of the Kennedy brothers, also experienced his fair share of tragedy, including a fatal car accident in 1969 that resulted in the death of Mary Jo Kopechne. The curse seemed to extend beyond the immediate Kennedy family as well. John F. Kennedy Jr., the son of President JFK, died in a plane crash in 1999, along with his wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and her sister Lauren Bessette. This tragic event once again gripped the nation and reinforced the belief in the Kennedy Curse. While some may attribute the series of unfortunate events to mere coincidence, others see it as evidence of a truly supernatural curse. The Kennedy Curse has become a popular subject of discussion and speculation, often making headlines whenever another tragedy strikes the family. The belief in the Kennedy Curse has transcended time and generations, becoming something of a legend. It is a reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictability of fate. The Kennedy family, with all its wealth, power, and influence, has not been immune to tragedy, proving that no one is exempt from the hardships of life. Despite the curse, the Kennedy family has also experienced many triumphs and successes. They have made significant contributions to politics, public service, and charitable endeavors. The family's legacy continues to live on, with many members of the younger generation following in their footsteps. In conclusion, the Kennedy Curse is a captivating and tragic tale that has captivated the public's imagination for decades. While it remains a topic of debate and speculation, one thing is certain - the Kennedy family has endured their fair share of hardships and losses. The curse, whether real or perceived, serves as a reminder of the transient nature of life and the resilience of the human spirit..
Reviews for "From Glory to Grief: The Kennedy Curse and the Loss of Innocence"
1. John Smith - 2/5 stars - The K3nnedy Curse Timeless was a disappointment for me. I found the plot to be convoluted and confusing, making it hard for me to fully understand what was going on. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult for me to connect with them. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and underwhelmed by this book.
2. Emily Johnson - 1/5 stars - I couldn't stand The K3nnedy Curse Timeless. The writing was repetitive and monotonous, making it a chore to get through. The story lacked originality and felt like a recycled version of other time travel novels. The pacing was also off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and abrupt plot twists. I was hoping for an engaging and unique read, but unfortunately, this book fell short.
3. Michael Brown - 2/5 stars - The K3nnedy Curse Timeless had so much potential but failed to deliver. The concept of time travel and its connection to the Kennedy family intrigued me, but the execution fell flat. The story was predictable and lacked suspense. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the narrative. I was left disappointed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Sarah Thompson - 3/5 stars - The K3nnedy Curse Timeless was an okay read for me. While I found the premise interesting, the execution was lacking. The pacing was slow, and the story dragged in certain parts. The characters were also not as developed as I would have liked, making it hard for me to fully invest in their journeys. However, the historical references and the exploration of the Kennedy family dynamics added some depth to the narrative. Overall, it was an average read that didn't quite live up to its potential.