Dragon Pizzeria

May 26, 2008
Morgan (Sleep Tight, Little Mouse
) turns a wacky premise—two dragons open a pizzeria in “Fairy Tale Land”—into a guessing game in this sprightly oversize book. As customers place orders over the phone, clues suggest their identities (“I would like 1 giant
pizza, with a topping of magic beans. Deliver it to Beanstalk Castle”). Children, especially preschoolers, will enjoy predicting the destination of each pizza, revealed in wittily detailed spreads (to deliver the giant's pizza, the dragon powers a hot-air balloon by means of his fiery breath; Jack climbs a beanstalk while an enormous hand descends toward the balloon). Morgan also comes up with an inventive variety of delivery methods: rocket ship, unicycle, motorcycle raced atop a clothesline). To season the mix still further, the dragons recite fractured nursery rhymes as they make their pizzas (“Dickery dickery dare./ I toss the dough in the air”). Dialogue balloons and occasional comics-style lettering add flair to these motion-filled spreads. Pure fun. Ages 5–8.

April 1, 2008
PreS-Gr 3-This guessing-game picture book has dragons, fairy tales, pizza, and transportationall ingredients that kids will enjoy. BeBop the dragon loves to cook, and his friend Spike loves to go fast, so they are the perfect partners for a pizza-delivery business in fairy-tale land. As the orders come in, readers can guess which fairy-tale character is calling ("I would like a GIANT pizza, with a topping of magic beans"). BeBop whips up special orders, riffing on a different traditional nursery rhyme each time he tosses the dough ("Pat-cake, pat-cake, Pizza man]," "Pizza porridge hot]"), then Spike sets out for delivery in a hot-air balloon, a rocket ship, roller skates, and other unusual means of transport. Finally, in their largest order yet, BeBop and Spike prepare a three-tier wedding cake pizza to be delivered to Sleeping Beauty's castle. With colorful, cartoon illustrations and an interactive text that begs to be read aloud, this book was made to order for storytime."Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.