"Hi, Pizza Man!"
What’s inside...
While a young girl waits for the delivery of a hot pizza, she imagines various animals as the pizza deliverer, making the appropriate animal sounds for each. Her patient mother engages with her, asking what she would say to each different pizza deliverer. The story comes full circle with a satisfying ending when the doorbell finally rings. This delightful children's book, released by Purple House Press in August 2017, encourages imagination and patience.
Age
1-4
Length
1 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Child
Mother
Discussion points
What different animals did the main character imagine the pizza delivery person could be? Which one was your favorite and why?
How do you think the main character felt while waiting for the pizza? Have you ever felt that way?
What are some polite ways to greet someone, like the Pizza Man, when they come to our house?
Why do you think it's important to use our imagination like the character did?
How would you greet a pizza person if they were one of the animals from the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use different voices for each animal that the child imagines the Pizza Man could be to make the reading more interactive and fun.
Before turning the page to reveal the next animal, pause and ask your child to guess who could be at the door next. This builds anticipation and makes them a part of the story.
Discuss the importance of patience while waiting, relating it to the child's own experiences of waiting for something exciting.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. Discuss why they chose that particular scene or character.
Talk about manners and polite greetings when someone arrives at your home, taking cues from the book to reinforce these behaviors.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: As the young protagonist waits for the pizza delivery, various imaginary characters are envisioned to bring the pizza, teaching children the virtue of patience while waiting for something they desire.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by managing their expectations and waiting calmly during everyday scenarios such as waiting their turn at a game or for a meal to be prepared.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The child uses her imagination to turn the wait for the pizza into an engaging, fun scenario by imagining different animals as the pizza man, showcasing the power of creativity to make waiting enjoyable.
Real-World Application: Kids can use their imagination to transform mundane tasks or waiting periods into more enjoyable and creative experiences, enhancing their creative thinking skills.
Example Lesson: Understanding and Appreciating Diversity
Explanation: The child imagines a diverse range of animals delivering the pizza, which can be seen as a metaphor for embracing and respecting diversity in people.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of inclusivity and accepting everyone's uniqueness in their real-world interactions at school or in the playground.