Pete's a Pizza (Hardcover)

by William Steig (Author) "PETE'S IN A BAD MOOD..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Mr. Steig (The Toy Brother) introduces a game guaranteed to produce a good mood. On a rainy day, title character Pete flops down on the couch in an attitude of despair. His father notices, and "he thinks it might cheer Pete up to be made into a pizza." Pete allows himself to be carried into the kitchen, where he is kneaded and tossed like dough. "Next, some oil is generously applied. (It's really water.)... And then some tomatoes. (They're really checkers.)" Pizza-Pete bakes on the couch, (a.k.a. the pizza oven), but when it's time to cut slices (with a karate-chop gesture), "the pizza runs away and the pizza-maker chases him." Steig evidently has played pizza before. He substitutes talcum powder for flour and paper scraps for mozzarella; he notes that pizzas struggle when tickled. The text resembles a set of directions, with each step wryly presented as a concise sentence and plainly printed in sans serif capital letters. In keeping with his story's simplicity, Steig creates compact line drawings that are detailed with wild watercolor patterns but symmetrically placed in a spacious white background. The amiable quality of Steig's easy pizza recipe will amuse chef and entree alike. All ages.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3-When Pete is in an especially bad mood because it is raining and he can't play ball with his friends, his father decides that it might cheer his son up "to be made into a pizza." The boy is placed on the kitchen table where he is kneaded, tossed, and covered with various toppings including oil (water), tomatoes (checkers), and cheese (pieces of paper). His mother comments that she doesn't like tomatoes, eliciting some giggles from Pete. He is then placed in the oven (the couch) and eventually returned to the table to be sliced. At this juncture, he runs away and is pursued by his father who captures and hugs him. By now the sun is shining and Pete goes outside to look for his friends. The interplay between father and son is both entertaining and endearing. The man says, after tickling Pete, "Pizzas are not supposed to laugh!" and Pete responds, "Pizza-makers are not supposed to tickle their pizzas!" Steig's spare line drawings and zany watercolor paintings are centered against a large white background. The wry text is printed in all capital letters, making it look almost like a recipe. From its tongue-tantalizing title to its understated but delightful ending, Pete's a Pizza is a tour de force.
Tom S. Hurlburt, La Crosse Public Library, WI
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Live Oak Media (January 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591127408
• ISBN-13: 978-1591127406
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #603,670 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simplicity and fun at its Steigian finest, April 26, 2002

By	Catherine S. Vodrey (East Liverpool, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Pete's a Pizza (Hardcover)

This is a great, great kid's book. When my kids were toddlers, my husband and I used to "pancake" them--pretend to pour them out of a ladle, smooth them out on a griddle, flip them, then "pour syrup" over them and nibble on them. They thought this was absolutely hilarious and would get breathless with laughter. William Steig explores the same idea in this wonderful book, but has the father turning the son into a pizza instead. The father/son interaction--especially because both are so serious at playing this game--is both hilarious and touching. By the time the game is done, the sun has come out and Pete can go out and play with his friends after all--while carrying the happy memory of being "pizza-ed" by his dad.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book to treasure., January 31, 2000

By	Eric Meyer (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Pete's a Pizza (Hardcover)

My wife and I are currently expecting our first baby, so we've been prowling the children's sections of bookstores putting together a little library. Of the books we've bought so far, "Pete's a Pizza" is definitely our favorite. We truly love this book; it's sweet and funny and the illustrations are wonderful. We can't wait to read it to our little one -- and to play "pizza" with her as well!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love everything about this book, February 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Pete's a Pizza (Hardcover)

I actually purchased this book before I even looked at it because I had heard such great things about it. I am so please I bought it. The pictures are adorable and the story is so silly. My husband really enjoys reading this to our baby.