Enemy Pie (Reading Rainbow book) [Hardcover]

Derek Munson (Author), Tara Calahan King (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2000 | Age Range: 1 and up | Lexile Measure: 330L (What's this?)

It was the perfect summer. That is, until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and became neighborhood enemy number one. Luckily Dad had a surefire way to get rid of enemies: Enemy Pie. But part of the secret recipe is spending an entire day playing with the enemy!

In this funny yet endearing story, one little boy learns an effective recipes for turning your best enemy into your best friend. Accompanied by charming illustrations, Enemy Pie serves up a sweet lesson in the difficulties and ultimate rewards of making new friends.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-What should have been a perfect summer for one young boy is ruined when Jeremy Ross moves in and becomes number one on the narrator's enemy list. Fortunately, his father has a secret recipe for a pie that is guaranteed to help get rid of enemies. While Dad works on mixing the ingredients and baking the pie, he explains his son's role in the plan: "-you need to spend a day with your enemy. Even worse, you have to be nice to him." It sounds tough, but the boy decides to give it a try. Predictably, between throwing water balloons at the girls, playing basketball, and hiding out in the tree house, he decides that Jeremy is not so bad after all. There's still the problem of the pie, however. When his father serves up the dessert, the young protagonist decides to warn Jeremy that it is "poisonous or something." However, it seems that both his father and his new friend are just fine, and what's more, the pie is delicious. This is a clever tale with an effective message about how to handle relationships and conflict. King's stylized and humorous illustrations, done in colored pencil and pastel, will work well with a group.
Roxanne Burg, Thousand Oaks Library, CA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Derek Munson lives in Washington state. This is his first book for children.

Tara Calahan King studied at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Tara lives in Ohio with her husband Rick. This is her first book for children.

Product Details

• Age Range: 1 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081182778X
• ISBN-13: 978-0811827782
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 0.4 x 10.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Family Life > Parents
  • #79 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Friendship

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars How to Get Rid of Your Worst Enemy March 8, 2001

By Roz Levine

Format:Hardcover

Life was good, until Jeremy Ross moved into the neighborhood and became enemy number one. Fortunately for this young boy, his dad knows just how to handle enemies...an old secret recipe, Enemy Pie. And while dad does the cooking, our young man must do his part, the hardest part. He has to spend the entire day, being nice and playing with Jeremy. First they rode bikes and bounced on the trampoline. Next they threw water balloons at girls and played some basketball. And towards the end of the day, they went up in the treehouse and played checkers and cards. Finally, dad called and said it was time for pie. What was a guy going to do? He liked Jeremy. They had become friends and were going to play again tomorrow. He definitely didn't want Jeremy eating any Enemy Pie..... Derek Munson has written a charming, amusing story with a subtle lesson that will not be lost on youngsters. His text and humorous dialogue are true to life and kids will really be able to identify with his characters. Tara Calahan King's wonderful, expressive artwork really compliments the story and together they send the important message that the best way to get rid of your enemies, is to make them your friends. Perfect for children 4-8, Enemy Pie is a winner.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Done Derek Munson September 4, 2003

By J. Westover

Format:Hardcover

I whole-heartedly recommend this story. Mr. Munson and Ms. King do a wonderful job of both entertaining and teaching a life lesson. The short of this story is that we fear the unknown and resist change. Mr. Munson artfully points out that enemies (not just childhood enemies) are more likely friends you just don't know yet. This book speaks well to today's youth and cleverly provides children a cornerstone for developing relationships.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Delicious! A great book! April 4, 2003

By Sandra

Format:Hardcover

I had the opportunity to hear Derek read his picture book "Enemy Pie" at Borders Storytime. The children in the audience, including myself and my own children--a 6 year old and a 9 year old loved this book. Derek's words are very poetic and his book is entertaining. It's quite a long picture book at 40 pages, but the story moves quickly and covers a lot of ground. I bought Enemy Pie and have enjoyed reading it out loud. I highly recommend it. The illustrations are bright and vivid. I can't wait for Derek's next books which he said are in the beginning stages. Yippee!! :-)

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful lesson October 17, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

This book was used as a counseling lesson for elementary school age children. The story wove feelings of anger and jealousy with a surprising end. I also liked that a dad was the one who made the pie and helped his son turn his anger into surprised friendship. I am also planning on using this story as a children's story in church.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars share the pie October 18, 2000

By Robin Evans-Agnew

Format:Hardcover

Enemy pie is a terrific story told through the eyes of a young boy. It is a story about how to make friends, and how enemies are unmade. The illustrations successfully complement the intention of the book. As suburban america grows, we need to have stories that show our children how to relate to others, especially to newcomers to our neighborhoods. Munson is an elegant and creative author... I look forward to his next offerings.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Enemy Pie June 17, 2003

A Kid's Review

Format:Hardcover

A kid that the author doesn't name (so you can pretend it is you) was having a perfect summer until a boy named Jeremy Ross moved into a house down the street and became enemy #1. Find out how the boy gets over Jeremy in Enemy Pie.
I realy liked this book because this Washington state author used detail and really described the characters. The illustrator really brought the characters to life with bright colors. And the morale of the book is don't judge a book by its cover. On a scale of 1-10 I Would give this book an 8.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars EVERY CHILD DESERVES A PIECE OF ENEMY PIE! September 12, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

In a simple, fun and charming way the author serves us an intriguing slice of conflict resolution using ingredients of humor and compassion that every child can relate to.

This excellent book is well suited to the Fall when children head back to school and, when encountering new faces, themselves face the sometimes difficult task of assimilating, resolving conflicts and building relationships.

I recommend this easy to read book with its curious and interesting characters to preschoolers through 2nd graders.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Kindergarteners Breathless March 25, 2001

By Jenny Sayward

Format:Hardcover

My Kindergarten classes have been learning through storybooks about meeting new people and turning strangers into friends. Now we have a story about dealing with enemies. The kids were breathless with anticipation throughout this story. At the end, one boy explained the message: "The boy didn't really know the new boy, so after he practiced being nice to him, he turned into a friend."