Pizza in Pienza

K-Gr 3—This chatty picture book provides the pedigree and history of one of kids' favorite foods. Though the story follows the evolution of Neapolitan-style pizza-a far cry from the frozen ones many children are familiar with-readers won't fuss about the distinctions. Told from the perspective of a pizza aficionado in Pienza, Italy, the narrative is friendly and accessible, making it enjoyable to a wide audience. Each page features one or two short sentences in both English and Italian and talks about the narrator's life and her quest to learn everything she can about her favorite food. The paintings showcase Fillion's compositions, which are evocative of Matisse's use of flattened perspective, bold outlines, and impressionistic swipes of color. In addition to the story, there is a wealth of information available, including an author's note, an Italian pronunciation guide, detailed history of pizza, and the author's recipe for Pizza Margherita. This is a good choice for general purchase due to the pleasant presentation and popular topic.—Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, White Bear Lake, MN