Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Eight-time world pizza dough-tossing champion Gemignani serves up a fictionalized account of just such a championship run. "Hold the anchovies!... This looks important!" Tony says when an invitation to compete in the World Pizza Championship arrives at his pizzeria. He and a co-worker cross the country in the "Pizzamobile," collecting the remaining four members of their team. In Italy, they clinch the prize with a nifty feat, showcased in a foldout spread: they form a human pyramid-the top fellow reaches his perch via unicycle-while tossing dough. Vivid colors dominate Trueman's (One Beetle Too Many) stylized mixed-media illustrations, which give the team (and their feats) a larger-than-life, modern folk hero quality (whirls of dough, flour and limbs mostly succeed at conveying the movement inherent in this activity). The pizza-obsessed will enjoy facts about quirky pizza toppings around the world, photos of Gemignani's championship team and illustrated dough and pizza recipes, with detailed tossing tips. Enthusiastic narration and pizza puns aplenty ("It's a good thing I ordered an extra-large van") help make this light, delectable fare. Ages 4-8. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3-Tony Gemignani, aka Tossing Tony, and his friends form a team from across the U.S. and travel to Italy where they vie for the World Pizza Championship. This competition is more than just making a tasty pie-its focus is on the skill of pizza tossing. Recipes and instructions are included. Photographs of the world champs at the end confirm that this story is based on real events and people. The mixed-media illustrations successfully capture the glee and high energy involved in pizza tossing. White paint splatters make the work appear covered with flour. A delightfully palatable selection.-Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Tony and his team of dough tossers attend Italy's World Pizza Championships (an actual event), where their spectacular tricks and distinctive routine earn them the gold medal. Angular illustrations, though frenetic, convey a sense of this unique sport's energy. Photos of the real-life pizzamen, pizza trivia, a dough recipe, and a tossing tutorial are appended. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
While pizza and all its toppings may prove a tasty topic for a young audience, the flat plot and heavy message herein will leave few readers craving a second helping. Loosely based on a true story, Gemignani describes his team's work in an international pizza-throwing competition. In tall-tale fashion, Tossing Tony joins his fellow teammates in his extra-large Pizzamobile to prepare for the world championships. Each member has a special skill: Strong Sean tosses his enormous dough on his front lawn while Silly Siler balances pizza while riding his unicycle, and so on. Predictably, the Americans' pizza-pyramid wins accolades during the international event, though contrived dialogue results in a stunted presentation. "Teamwork," they say to themselves. "It's all about teamwork." Interesting factlets examine pizza's regional and international differences, though they do little to describe the competition's specifics. Trueman's bright mixed-media cartoons evoke the rich flavors of their subject; fiery reds and golden tans energize the colorful art. Depth and texture enhance the angular characters, but overall, this dry narrative lacks spice. (resources, recipes) (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
