How Pizza Came to Our Town

by Dayal Kaur Khalsa

Tells the story of a mysterious stranger who brings with her a special gift

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, History, Cooking, New York, Realistic Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you don't get too nitpicky, this is a sweet story about some little girls who get to sample pizza for the first time while making an elderly woman very happy.

If you do want to get nitpicky . . .

I assumed from the title that this was one of those delightful, semi-autobiographical stories Tomie dePaola is so good at telling; perhaps an interesting tale about a family who opens one of the first pizza parlors in New York. BUT, it's not. A quick Google search revealed that pizza has been sold in NYC since the early 1900's, yet the illustrations in this book seem to indicate this is all happening in the 50's or even later. I'm wondering if this point hasn't been brought up before, as the book seems to have been reprinted a few years later under the title - How Pizza Came to our Town.

And why on earth would a "distant cousin" whom Mrs. Penny has "never met" and who barely speaks English come to America for an extended stay with virtual strangers?

One the plus side, Khalsa's illustrations are lovely - lush, green grass, brightly colored rooms and clothing, and one painting in particular - the girls catching fireflies - was so evocative. My favorite was the painting of the girls in the library. A bookshelf in the upper left corner features one of the author's other books -I Want A Dog . Cute!

[Sam (Hissing Potatoes) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I liked the historical slice-of-life presented through the structure of a visiting cousin. It was sweet how the girls tried to make their guest feel welcome. I definitely appreciated the turning point being a trip to the library. ;-)

[Allie]

Every once in a while by pure chance I'll rediscover a book I 100% read as a child. I don't remember anything about the text of this book, but I remember the illustrations SO clearly!

[Pamela Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a fan of pizza and of multi-generational stories, this one was fun. When their great-aunt comes to visit Some little girls are exposed to pizza for the first time.

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wonderful kids book is made to order with lots of love! The writer is from India, the subject is a food created by Italy, the story is all of us.
Mrs Pellegrino has come from Italy to visit friends in Queens, NY. She misses the smell of pizza, which, in post WW2 Queens, is unheard of. Four sisters decide to help Mrs Pellegrino feel at home by doing research on this "pizza", then making one almost from scratch...almost, that is, until Mrs Pellegrino unwraps her secret weapon of cooking: a rolling pin. And thus Queens is changed thanks to a real princess whose willingness to overcome her own sadness helps others. Pellegrino is a true feminist role model both genders can share, and both genders can be grateful for. Without her, Queens NY, and half the world, would never enjoy good pizza!!!
Four stars
It's not Digiorno's, it's a delivery...made with love!!!

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ages: 5 - 9

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[Madeline West · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute book of children helping an older woman out by trying to cheer them up. The girls were eventually able to make Mrs. Pelligrino happy by making pizza. It was the story of how Queens got pizza. It was a sillier story not really much of a lesson to the book but it was cute. The pictures were also very accurate and complimented the words of the story.

[Megan Clavenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story tells about an Italian woman that comes to visit May's friends' mother, and she is quite sad upon her arrival. They try to cheer her up but she misses a key part of her life at home: pizza! It was a cute story and I think young kids would enjoy reading it in their free time, but it's not really a class story to teach with.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost plausible, but the illustrations reveal a date much later than early pizzerias in the NYC area. A cute story but no note to show if/how Khalsa meant it to be historical.

[Beverlee Jobrack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet! Pizza is delicious.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alissa loved all the activities the little girls did.

[Amy Ly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure nostalgia! I used to listen to the story on tape and even though not much happens, it is a sweet story.

[Courtney Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was about how one lady, Mrs. Pelligrino, came to visit her family one summer. When Mrs. Pelligrino came to visit, she always seemed to be very sad. The children picked up that she kept on saying the word pizza. Throughout the book, the children tried their hardest to figure out what pizza meant. In the end, the children come to find out that pizza is a food and they cheered up Mrs. Pelligrino by making and eat all of the pizza. Mrs. Pelligrino went back to Italy and every time the children make pizza they are reminded of her.

I love this book almost as much as I love pizza. This is a great book in showing kids how different cultures, values, and foods came to the United States. This book also shows the importance of family and when someone is sad, its the families job to help them be happy.

After reading the book, a speech therapist could work on following steps. The clinician can assist the client in following how to make a pizza. Throughout the book there was also some scenery and activities that the family was participating in, and that would be good to go over what everything is and where they visited to find out what pizza is.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mysterious relative arrives from Italy and introduces her family to the delights of pizza. Dayal Kaur Khalsa's illustrations are distinctive, and help to make this special.

[Angela Foley]

This was a funny book that students would enjoy because who doesn't love pizza!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun for adults and kids!