Pizza PieSnowman

Reviewed by: Deidre Walsh - Goodall Library, Sanford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 8, 2016

Review

What do you like on your pizza? For Pinky and his mother it is "mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes, onions, peas." And that is what Pinky sings to himself throughout the book as he walks through town to order a pizza pie for him and his mother. Along the way Pinky gets completely covered in snow by some friendly and mischievous squirrels. He proceeds through town looking like a walking and talking snowman, unbeknownst to him. All he wants to do is remember to order the pizza the way he and his mom like it. He will not be dissuaded from his mission. The townsfolk begin to comment about the walking and talking snowman. Pinky begins to wonder about him too, but he can't stop. He is on a pizza mission for his mom. Mr. Mutton (a sheep), Mrs. Schnauzer (a dog) and a number of other creatures are very curious about this unique snowman. Finally Pinky arrives at the pizzeria and successfully orders the pizza. While waiting for his pizza the snow melts off of him and he is just Pinky the pink pig. On his trip back home with the pizza everyone asks him if he saw the walking talking snowman. And of course he didn't. Pinky and his mom enjoy their pizza in their warm home. Later they go for a walk into town hoping to see this walking talking snowman. This is a lovely and silly story. Not only is it about pizza. It is also about the determination of one little pig to successfully complete the task his mother gave him. It is also about family and community, friends and the importance of responsibility. This is not all conveyed in the text. A good portion is portrayed in the detailed watercolor, gouache and ink illustrations. From the squirrels dumping snow on Pinky, to a happy, bustling snow covered town and all of its inhabitants, to the baby pictures on the walls of Pinky's home. The illustrations are so detailed. Many children will be able to see that the walking talking snowman has a pink snout and is wearing yellow boots, but none of the townsfolk do. This adds another level of humor to the story. The only issue I have with this book, and it is a very minuscule one at best, is that the walking talking snowman actually resembles a white penguin (with a pig snout)in the way it seems to waddle through town. The text flows smoothly. It doesn't rhyme, but it doesn't need to. This story may be too long to read in a story time setting. But if you choose to do that, pair it with "The Pizza That We Made" by Joan Holub and "Hi Pizza Man" by Virginia Walter for a pizza themed story time. Also great in small group settings and one on one sharing. And perhaps use it in a classroom as a talking point for not being distracted and responsibility. Pinky is a refreshing protagonist. He is determined to do a good job for his mother. He doesn't want to let her down. He won't be distracted by friends, snow, the townspeople, anything. Pinky succeeds for him and his mother. Plus they get to share a really yummy pizza together. A first purchase for most libraries.

Overall Book Score: excellent