The Little Crooked Bookshelf on Reviewsday!

PIZZA! An Interactive Recipe Book

illustrated by lotta nieminen

(This week's #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.)

What it's all about...
The second title in this interactive recipe series (I reviewed the first title here), this is a reading AND cooking experience that allows readers to make pizza prom scratch — mixing ingredients, kneading dough, and spreading sauce, all while following a simple recipe.

Why I love it...
My little one loves to cook — this book allows him to make one of his favorite foods by engaging a series of ingenious (and super-fun) wheels, flaps, and levers!

Sample illustrations...

What's the kid-appeal?
All of the fun of cooking without needing any parental supervision!

What's the grownup appeal?
All of the fun of cooking without needing any parental supervision!

Where to find/buy Cook in a Book: PIZZA!
Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Lotta Nieminen is an illustrator, graphic designer, and art director from Helsinki, Finland, now running her own New York-based studio. In 2014, she was nominated for Forbes magazine's annual 30 Under 30 list. In 2010, she received the Art Directors Club Young Guns award. Her client list includes Google, New York Times, and Vanity Fair, among many others.

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

Secret Pizza Party
by Adam Rubin
Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri

What it's all about . . .
We could tell you, but then we’d have to kill you.

Why it’s on the Crooked Bookshelf . . .
Sweet sassy molassy, Secret Pizza Party is hilarious! We can’t resist this story about a pizza-obsessed raccoon and a narrator, who helps him plan a secret pizza party. Plus, we’re big fans of author Adam Rubin and illustrator Daniel Salmieri, the picture book dream team behind Dragons Love Tacos and Those Darn Squirrels!

Our favorite lines . . .
I know what you’re thinking. Why would we keep such a delicious party a secret?
 Okay, sure. It’s so folks don’t show up to bonk you with brooms, but that’s not the only reason.

Our favorite illustration . . .



Why kids will love it . . .
What kid doesn’t love being in on a secret? Especially a funny one with a secret handshake. Booyah! Children will giggle as the raccoon poses as “an honest pizza-buying citizen who left his wallet in the car,” gets chased by “raccoon-sniffing broom-bots,” and tries unsuccessfully to keep his cool at his secret pizza party.

Why grown-ups will love it . . .
The narrator speaks directly to Raccoon, making the story a fun and engaging read-aloud, and the illustrations are full of so many humorous details that you’ll discover new ones with each reading. (And yes, you will be asked to read this book again and again.)