You're a noodlehead, I'm a noodlehead, we're all noodleheads! We all have moments when our brains take a vacation and we misunderstand a figure of speech for the literal meaning. ("Let's toast the new year!" - would you like strawberry or blueberry jelly on your toast?)
But the "noodlehead" genre is also a storytelling tradition around the world that children gravitate to because of the humor and hi-jinks. (It might also remind them of their own journeys from literal to metaphorical understanding.)
Common "noodlehead" stories include the long-lived Amelia Bedelia series. Amelia always has good intentions but still somehow frequently gets the wrong end of the stick. (Amelia would wonder where that stick was, exactly, and is it sharp?)
Here are a few others you may want to explore with your children or students, particularly those in K through 3rd grade.
The Epossumondas series features a baby possum and his adoptive mama, who gives instructions that the baby misunderstands. A mess - and hilarity - ensues!
Tedd Arnold (the genius behind Fly Guy) has started a new series that is actually called Noodlehead - so far, Noodlehead Nightmares and Noodleheads See the Future.
These are both excellent series to read aloud to kids so you can talk about exactly how the noodleheads are taking things literally.
-- Laura Raphael, Children's Services Coordinator