The King of Pizza
on Goodreads (14)
What’s inside...
Kids and pizza-it's an irresistible combination. And now for all kids comes the king of pizza, a magical story about the world's favorite food that marries a full-color illustrated storybook with a kid-size pizza plate, all piping hot and ready to be displayed in a custom-designed white pizza box. Pity the King of Naples. His belly rumbles. His stomach growls. He eats one amazing dish after another prepared by the finest chefs in Europe, and still he goes to bed hungry! Until, disguised as a beggar, he sneaks out of his palace and discovers Salvatore's Pizzeria. Mixing legend and fantasy, fun and food, Sylvester Sanzari weaves a classic tale of a King, a baker, a pizza and seven orphans-and a story about discovering and sharing the simple things in life. Accompanying the storybook is an unbreakable and dish-washer safe pizza plate printed in four-color. The white corrugated pizza box is die-cut to reveal the book cover and the plate within. It's one with everything.88,000 copies in print. Illustrations by John E. Hurst.
Why read this book
- Engaging storyline fosters creativity and imaginative thinking.
- Encourages teamwork, leadership, and decision-making skills.
- Vibrant illustrations captivate and maintain child's interest.
- Supports language development and comprehension enhancement.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes the King of Pizza so special in the story?
How did the characters in the book show teamwork or help each other?
If you could create a special pizza, what ingredients would you choose and why?
What did you learn about making and sharing food with others from this book?
How would you feel if you were in a pizza-making contest like in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to personal experiences, like a time they helped cook a meal or worked together with friends.
Ask your child to describe their favorite part of the book and why it stood out to them, promoting critical thinking and personal expression.
Facilitate a creative activity, such as drawing their version of the 'perfect pizza' or writing a mini-story about a cooking competition.
Discuss the moral lessons of the book, focusing on themes of creativity, collaboration, and sharing, which support social and emotional learning.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: The story demonstrates teamwork as characters come together to solve the mystery of the missing pizza recipe, showcasing cooperation among diverse individuals.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of working together to achieve common goals, which can be applied during group activities at school or play.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Characters in the book use critical thinking and creative solutions to tackle challenges, which helps in unraveling the mystery.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think critically and creatively in their daily encounters, whether in resolving conflicts with peers or in academic challenges.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The protagonist takes responsibility for finding the lost recipe, demonstrating accountability through his actions.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of being responsible for their tasks and the consequences of their actions, applicable in their chores or school assignments.
Example Lesson: Respect for Diversity
Explanation: The book features characters from various cultural backgrounds working together, highlighting the strength in diversity.
Real-World Application: Reinforces the importance of respecting and appreciating different cultures and perspectives, vital in today’s global society.
Example Lesson: The joy of cooking
Explanation: Cooking is depicted as an enjoyable and creative activity that brings people together, with characters expressing delight in making and sharing pizza.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to explore cooking with their families, fostering an interest in food preparation and healthy eating habits.