If there is one food that seems to be universally loved among kids, it’s pizza, in all its gooey, cheesy, saucy deliciousness. As National Pizza Week is the perfect time to celebrate the culinary perfection that is a hot and fresh slice of pizza pie, we’ve gathered seven delightful children’s books that center around this perennially favorite food of the younger generations.
Kobe Eats Pizza! by Ashley Wian with Cate Berry, Illustrated by Joy Ang
Based on the young social media star of Kobe Eats, this adorable tale of a young chef walks readers through little Kobe’s experience of making a pizza, ingredient by ingredient. With help from a supervising adult — and two canine “helpers” — Kobe prepares dough, spreads sauce, and assembles toppings. Still, there’s one ingredient missing; after all, the best food is shared with family. Charming illustrations and easygoing text are perfect for young readers, and tattooed caregivers will appreciate the detail of Kobe’s inked parents (body modifications are rarely depicted in children’s books on anyone other than “bad guys”).
Ratnip: Pizza Dreams Do Come True by Cam Higgins, Illustrated by Allison Steinfeld
Part of a series launch coming in February, this hilariously fun tale of a little rat with big dreams is the second of the Ratnip books. And hey, what rat doesn’t love pizza? Little Ratnip has even made his home in an abandoned pizza parlor and enjoys snacking on the leftover crusts. One evening, however, the pizza cravings hit hard, and Ratnip can’t find a single bite of pizza left to nibble on. The solution is clear: he’ll have to make his own pizza — how hard could it be? As seems appropriate for a series based on a rat, Ratnip’s adventures are part cutesy, part gross, and all fun, and young pizza lovers are sure to enjoy this one in particular.
A Pizza with Everything on It by Kyle Scheele, Illustrated by Andy J. Pizza
As a father and son make a pizza together, the child decides that he wants a pizza with everything on it. Not just all the pizza toppings, mind you — EVERYTHING, including a blender, his homework, the White House, and a particle accelerator. Hmmm, but that’s an awful lot to put on a pizza. Will the crust be able to take it? Scheele’s humorous text is paired perfectly with the slightly surreal illustrations by Andy J. Pizza — yup, that’s his actual name! — to create a playful, madcap adventure that will keep little ones laughing to the final page.
Pizza!: A Slice of History by Greg Pizzoli
How much do you know about pizza? Well, according to this deliciously informational title, the United States eats 350 slices of pizza every second! Through the award-winning Pizzoli’s entertaining illustrations — including the glasses-wearing rodent that walks readers through the story — pizza enthusiasts can learn all about the history of pizza, from who may have made it first to why it became so popular in the United States to the creative toppings that pizza eaters all over the world enjoy on their pie. It’s a perfect title for early readers to enjoy with their grown-ups, and will leave both hungry for a slice by the end.
Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin, Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
From the creators of the much-beloved Dragons Love Tacos comes this delightfully odd little title about a raccoon who loves everything pizza. He loves the crunchy crust, the mouth-watering sauce, the gooey cheese, and he especially loves how the flavors combine to create perfection. Unfortunately, someone keeps chasing Racoon away from the pizza whenever he gets his little claws in grasping distance. So, what’s a raccoon to do? Throw a secret pizza party, of course! And you’re invited, but you have to keep the secr— oh, you already invited everyone you know? Oh, dear. Filled with gut-busting humor and a wonderfully satisfying ending, this one is a fantastic read from start to oh-so-yummy finish.
Pizza!: An Interactive Recipe Book by Lotta Nieminen
This title is part of a wonderfully clever Cook in a Book series by Nieminen and Phaidon Press that merges simple recipes with interactive board books for early readers. In Pizza!, curious little eyes and hands can stir the ingredients, spread their dough, and bake their pizza by lifting flaps, turning wheels, and pulling tabs. Before they know it, they’ll have a pizza that looks good enough to eat (don’t eat it, though — it’s still a book). If little ones are feeling the hunger for pizza after, however, the recipe does include an actual ingredient list and step-by-step instructions, so caregivers and kids can replicate it in real life.
Every Night Is Pizza Night by J. Kenji López-Alt, Illustrated by Gianna Ruggiero
Pipo knows, without a single doubt, that pizza is the best food there is. That’s why at her house, every night is pizza night — much to the exasperation of her parents. When they ask Pipo to try some new foods, she agrees only so that she can prove that pizza is the best one there is, and she sets off on a neighborhood quest to try other families’ prize dishes. However, after some spicy bibimbap, hearty tagine, and savory red beans and rice, Pipo begins to question her hypothesis. Is pizza the best food, or can there be multiple best foods? While this highly enjoyable tale offers loads of laughs, it also offers great encouragement for picky eaters to try new foods (and don’t worry, Pipo still loves pizza at the end).
Well, after that list, we’re feeling a little peckish for some yummy pizza ourselves. We hope that you and your mini bookworms enjoy the books on this list as much as you enjoy your favorite pizza pie. Happy eating… we mean reading!
To see more of our favorite children’s book picks, check out our article on the Best Picture Books of 2024.
To see all of our recommendations for mini bookworms, check out our Bookshop bookshelf.
