In a wonderfully loopy third episode, Nick and Maxine are surprised to meet Captain Noodlekugel, back from the sea with a somewhat untrainable bear.

When their father decides to compete to be speed-knitting champion of the world, Nick and Maxine are happy to stay with their babysitter, Mrs. Noodlekugel, along with her talking cats and four mice who wear glasses. What they don’t expect is a dripping-wet, whiskered man in the kitchen the next morning! Captain Noodlekugel has left his seafaring life to train animals for the circus, and he’s even brought with him a hefty bear named Drooly for practice. But whenever he tries to teach Drooly to dance, the bear wobbles and falls asleep on the tulips. When Drooly goes missing, the siblings must try to figure out where a big clumsy bear might go! Fans of Mrs. Noodlekugel’s delightfully wacky and whimsical world will rejoice in Pinkwater’s newest offering.... Pinkwater presents another silly glimpse into the world of Mrs. Noodlekugel and her talking cats and mice.
—School Library Journal

The appeal is the loopy conversations about sardines—and the pictures.... Utterly, endearingly ridiculous.
—Kirkus Reviews

Abundant descriptions and eccentric humor showcase Pinkwater’s considerable ability to entertain. The amusing line drawings support the story. Fans will be lining up for this one
—Booklist