Customer Reviews

Pete's a Pizza

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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.

At the grand old age of (I kid you not) 90, the great children's author William Steig created a wonderful picture book. When I'm 90 I'll be lucky if I can determine how one uses a ballpoint pen, but Steig was always an original. His books have been read by pretty much every child since the dawn of time and his stories have a kind of eerie continuous popularity that's undeniable. With "Pete's a Pizza", Steig tells a story of a game that he used to play with his children when the weather was rough.

Pete's sad. He was going to play ball with his friends but the weather is awful outside. As Pete lies on the couch, miserable, his dad decides the only thing to be done is to make Pete into a pizza. First he kneads Pete, then he stretches him, then he twirls him in the air (cause that's what all great pizza makers do to their dough). A little oil, flour, and tomatoes as well as cheese and then it's into the oven (the couch). Then the pizza's done and needs to be cut, and before you know it the sun has come up and Pete can go outside and play with his friends.

It's just so doggone sweet. And not in that fake saccharine way either. Nope, this tale is just a very tender tale of a father trying to cheer his son up any silly way he can. It works of course, and you get the feeling that as Pete runs off to play with his fellows, he does so knowing that he's been loved. Pete's father's great, not afraid to chase and hug his boy when the moment calls for it. There are also spots of typical Steigian humor as well. When Pete's mom tickles him and his father informs him that "pizzas are not supposed to laugh", Pete replies (a little peevishly), "Pizza-makers are not supposed to tickle their pizzas!" Hard to argue that point. I'm pleased to report also that Steig lost none of his customary skills with characters and situations in this tale. If I were to compare this story to a more recent picture book, I think I'd have to recommend, "Climbing the Daddy Mountain" by Jules Feiffer. Both books have the same kind of surreal silliness that appeals to kids and adults alike.

William Steig will be missed. He was one of those rare picture book authors that made you truly appreciate how silly the world could be sometimes. Fortunately, he left us some wonderful books, "Pete's a Pizza" being one of the best. It's a wonderful story that's both touching and tenderly made. A real class act.

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!

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.

My four-year old and I have been playing "pizza" ever since we read this book. It is hilarious fun.

Poor Pete! He's in a sour mood because the rain has cancelled his ballgame with his pals. Fortunately, Pete's father knows a few things about cheering up a forlorn boy. The mustachioed, wild-shirted dad decides to turn his son into a pizza!

Dad takes Pete through all the right motions: Kneading the "dough" (a great backrub!), stretching it (yoga!), and twirling it in the air (don't try this at home!). Steig draws the dad adding oil ("It's really water."), and flour ("It's really talcum powder."), and tomatoes ("They're really checkers.") on top of Pete. "Pete can't stop giggling when his mother [who's been mostly quiet up till now] says she doesn't like tomatoes on her pizza."

Pete plays along, staying appropriately quiet (he's a pizza, after all), until his mom's well placed tickle elicits more giggles. His dad mock-admonished Pete: "Pizzas are not supposed to laugh," but the quick-witted Peter retorts," Pizza Makers are not supposed to tickle their pizzas!" When Dad announces it's time to slice the pizza (!), Pete runs off. His dad catches him and gives him a big hug, the rain stops, and the story, based on a game Mr. Steig used to play with his daughter, comes to a happy conclusion. Maybe families don't always operate in such big-hearted, well-coordinated ways, but it's nice to have such a wonderful model. The font is all in CAPITOL LETTERS, making this a great beginning reader's book. The warmth, humor, and fun pretend play make this yet another great book by William Steig.

Petes's in a bad mood because he can't go oult to play with his friends on this rainy day. To cheer him up and pass the time, his dad invents a fun and unique game. He is going to make a pizza out of Pete! The book is very amusing as the dad rolls the dough (Pete) and sprinkles cheese (paper) and tomatoes (checkers) on the pizza. This could be a wonderful game to play with your own children. Loads of fun to be had.

We borrowed this book from the library, but we're buying it for our permanent collection!
This book has simple, colorful illustrations and is fun! If you enjoy playful parenting, this is a perfect book. The dad chases the blues from his son by pretending to make him into pizza, complete with kneeding him as dough, throwing him into the air, putting toppings on him, and baking him on the couch. By the time he's done, the blues are gone, and the giggles have come out!
A great book!

My favorite children's book- oh yeah, my kids like it too. i keep one under my pillow for times when i need a smile!

We have hundreds of childrens books, i am an addict and my kids are too. I love this book i have read it many many times to my youngest and we have acted it out on occasion. I highly recommend it.