Pete's a Pizza by William Steig

Pete's a Pizza by William Steig

Rating: 5 pepperoni stars

Ok, stop what you're doing and order this book.  Right now.  It is such a wonderful book!  It's the book equivalent of a tummy tickler hill--it makes you giggle with each turn of the page.  Lorelei was laughing by page 5 and didn't stop until the end.  Every family should have a few books on your shelf of books that make everyone laugh--these are the types of books worth the purchase price.

Here's the story: Pete is sad because it's raining out and he can't go play ball with his friends.  So his dad cheers him up by making him into a pizza.  That's it!  Each page is a simple illustration of Pete's dad, and then his mom, who simply can't sit by and watch this funny game, making Pete into pizza.  He kneads Pete, stretches him out, then tosses him up in the air, pizzeria-style.  Then he adds tomatoes, cheese, and pepperoni.  Pete tries to keep a straight face but every now and then Pete the pizza can't help but laugh, to which his father replies: "Pizzas don't laugh!"  They "bake" Pete on the sofa, but right before they slice him up, Pete runs away. 

Ben likes reenacting this part.  He is very good at running very fast, especially if someone is after him with an imaginary fork and knife.  Don't worry, it doesn't happen very often.

This is such a fun book!  Definitely check it out at the very least, but consider buying it, too. 

P.S. Thanks for the recommendation, Beth!