cover image Dragon Pizzeria

Dragon Pizzeria

Mary Morgan, . . Knopf, $16.99 (40pp) ISBN 978-0-375-82309-1

Morgan (Sleep Tight, Little Mouse ) turns a wacky premise—two dragons open a pizzeria in “Fairy Tale Land”—into a guessing game in this sprightly oversize book. As customers place orders over the phone, clues suggest their identities (“I would like 1 giant pizza, with a topping of magic beans. Deliver it to Beanstalk Castle”). Children, especially preschoolers, will enjoy predicting the destination of each pizza, revealed in wittily detailed spreads (to deliver the giant's pizza, the dragon powers a hot-air balloon by means of his fiery breath; Jack climbs a beanstalk while an enormous hand descends toward the balloon). Morgan also comes up with an inventive variety of delivery methods: rocket ship, unicycle, motorcycle raced atop a clothesline). To season the mix still further, the dragons recite fractured nursery rhymes as they make their pizzas (“Dickery dickery dare./ I toss the dough in the air”). Dialogue balloons and occasional comics-style lettering add flair to these motion-filled spreads. Pure fun. Ages 5–8. (June)