This book contains a greeting game that can send your students into a whirlwind of imagination. Vivian is hungry and tired of waiting for her pizza to arrive. “Where, oh where is that pizza man?” she wonders. When he arrives, she plans to say, “Hi, Pizza Man!” But to pass the time while they’re waiting for the pizza, Mama asks, what if a dinosaur knocks on the door? What will Vivian say then?
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As an early childhood consultant, I have read this book tothousands of teachers and children. It is a hit every time, since itappeals to anyone who has ever ordered pizza! The repetition and predictability of the text make it a winner for emergent readers. I have recommended it across the nation and have had teachers and children everywhere affirm its’ relevance! A perfect gift for children ages 2-6 and a nice addition to any early childhood library. I hope to see more books by the author as her wit is very clever! Don’t miss it!
Some books should never be allowed to go out of print. Virginia Walter’s Hi, Pizza Man! is one such book. This deceptively simple picture book about pizza delivery and imagination delivers the kind of story toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy over and over again. My kids at the library routinely request the “pizza man” book every time we have picture book reading.
The premise of this book is pretty basic: a young girl is waiting in her apartment for the pizza man to arrive with dinner. While they are waiting, the mother plays a game with her child, having her guess what they will say when the pizza man comes and they open the door. Of course, soon the pizza man is a pizza lady, then a pizza kitty, all the way to a pizza dinosaur! Each time the audience guesses what the response will be with animal sounds corresponding to each creature. (“Meow, Meow, Pizza Kitty”, etc.) On its own, this plot is pretty bare bones, and wouldn’t invite much praise, but Ms. Walter’s illustrations transform it into a much loved book. Engaging in a realistic style with colored pencil as her chosen medium, Ms. Walter’s creates fantastic images of pizza delivery creatures at the door. From the pizza lady in her mink stole and baseball cap, to the pizza duck in his turban, to the pizza cow all decked out with a rose in her mouth, each image is detailed, funny and interesting.
This is a book that hinges on participation of the audience. Children will quickly pick up the pattern of the plot. The texts asks what they will say if it’s a pizza kitty at the door. The audience volunteers the answer as the page turns to reveal the kitty in a tophat with a pizza resting on one paw. By the end of the story, children are well primed when the doorbell finally rings and they know exactly who will be at the door. As a concept book, this picture book introduces animal sounds, allows the children to predict what will be said next, and provides comfortable repetition. One of the reasons I enjoy using this book is that it involves the use of animal sounds in a more urban environment. Children who live in the city will readily identify with the concept of a pizza delivery man coming to the door where many of them may never have been to a farm or out in the country. Another level you can add to the reading of this book is to ask the child or children where the animals are holding the pizza (it changes in every picture) and this can reinforce parts of the body.
As a whole, it’s just a delightful read that children will ask for. And while adults may sigh at the endless rereads, it’s a light read, and your children’s pleasure will be worth it. For those who enjoy this book and are looking for similar reads, I’d recommend Bark, George! by Jules Feiffer and Lemons are Not Red by Laura Vaccaro Seeger.
We first picked this book up at the library and my daughter, nearly three, just loves it. Pizza is her favorite food group and she loves making animal sounds. This book is a delightful combination of both joys. The simple and repetetive text allow her to “read” the book to me herself and the illustrations are great. My toddler loves this book and I think yours will too.
I loved this book when i was 4! My mom would read it for me every night!It was great!My mom thinks that too!Now i am 10 and i still love the book!If u want a great book for your kid buy this one!! I bet your kid will love it!!!IT IS THE BEST!!!I think u should buy it!! by Melanie