Pete's a Pizza

by Harpercollins Childrens Books

Product Details

• ASIN: B001JFMMVK
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,458 in Pet Supplies (See Top 100 in Pet Supplies)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 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
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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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars When in doubt, make your child into edible Italian food, July 29, 2004

By 

E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pete's a Pizza Board Book (Board book)

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.

9 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
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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!