Little Nino's Pizzeria [Paperback]

Karen Barbour (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1990 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Reading Rainbow

This exuberant picture book tells the story of Tony, a little boy who helps his father in the family pizzeria. “The scenes are full of visually boisterous activity, with under-pinnings of humorous detail and a clear sense of family closeness so important to the story. A decidedly fresh-looking book.”--Booklist

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When Nino's father abandons his cozy pizza parlor to operate an upscale eatery, he realizes he misses "cutting tomatoes and kneading dough." PW enjoyed the "bright color and lively pattern" of Barbour's paintings. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2 Although Barbour's pleasant story is only meager fare, her paintings are a visual feast. Young Tony proudly tells of how he helps his father, Nino, in his pizzeria until success causes Nino to open a large, fancy restaurant, where Tony is in the way and Nino is too busy for him. All ends well when Nino misses the smaller operation and reopens his pizzeria. The gouache and watercolor illustrations in wild tropical colors have a kitschy, 1930s look to them and show hommage to many artists of that period. Faces bring Leger to mind; swirling lines and rounded shapes are reminiscent of Matisse; glowing stars and moon recall Chagall. There are also fauvist and cubist influences throughout. Lettering and bold patterns mix with flat blocks of intense color in crowded scenes that express the big city atmosphere through their vitality. The electricity of the paintings will draw children back for a second look, even if the story does not have a comparable impact. David Gale, ``School Library Journal''
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; 1 edition (March 15, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152463216
• ISBN-13: 978-0152463212
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 9.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, January 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Little Nino's Pizzeria (Paperback)

My kids adore this book. It's a very quick read--you can zip right through the short, meaty text. Yet the message is profound. Nino the pizza-maker closes down his cheerful little pizzeria and builds a big, fancy restaurant. He makes lots of money, but sacrifices precious time with his family, comes home exhausted and no longer enjoys his work. Saddest of all, he neglects his little son Tony, formerly known as his "best helper." Fortunately, Nino quickly realizes his mistake. He leaves the big restaurant behind and reopens his beloved pizzeria...renaming it after his son. It's amazing how the author manages to tell this whole story in so few words, and the vibrant, colorful artwork perfectly captures the characters' emotions. This book is a winner!

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My kids' favorite book!, August 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Little Nino's Pizzeria (Paperback)

After a hundred readings, this is still our children's favorite book