WE LOVE PIZZA

A fact-filled introduction to the popular food.

After boldly asserting that pizza is “the world’s favorite food,” the author explains how pizza originated in 1738 in Naples, Italy, where the first pizzeria later opened in 1830. Italian immigrants subsequently transplanted pizza to the United States in the late 19th century. Today, “Pizzas can be round or square, / In different shapes and sizes, / And sometimes what is in or on them, / Is full of big surprises,” with international variations. Norwegians consume the most pizza, per capita; Brazilians and Germans love it too. One of the most famous pizzas, the Margherita, was originally cooked for the queen of Naples in 1889, and “Chef Charlotte,” from a contemporary Naples pizzeria, provides a detailed recipe, including the proper ingredients and helpful tips to create perfect pizza dough. Suggestions for various ways to eat pizza (folded, from the box, knife and fork), record-breaking pizza facts (world’s largest, world’s longest, largest collection of pizza boxes), descriptions of different pizzas from around the world, and unusual pizza deliveries add to this eclectic, entertaining collection of pizza information with an international flavor. Topical spreads are introduced with verse, with prose details captioning colorful, humorous illustrations. These use simple shapes and flat patterns, enhancing the data with step-by-step diagrams of pizza preparation; vignettes featuring pizza fans, history, and events; and close-ups of the subject.

A fun-filled, obvious must for pizza lovers.