The Quest for the Longest Noodle

Join one boy on a quest for the longest, luckiest noodle for his great-grandmother’s birthday in this deliciously fun celebration of tradition, community, connection—and, of course, noodles.

Ellis' Tai Ma is turning one hundred! To celebrate, Ellis sets out on a quest to find the longest, luckiest noodle for a special bowl of Long Life Noodles. (The longer the noodle, the longer she'll live!)

Along the way, he discovers that Tai Ma has touched the lives of everyone in town—each neighbor eager to share fond memories and their own culture's noodles for her birthday meal. But spaghetti? Not long enough. Udon? Not even close! Will Ellis ever find the longest noodle?

Inspired by the author's own family and featuring phrases in multiple languages and culinary traditions from around the world, this vibrant story shows that the true secret to a long life isn’t in the length of the noodle—it’s in the connections that fill a life with meaning. Includes fold-out pages to reveal the longest noodle and a guide for making your own bowl of Long Life Noodles at home!

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs