Tony and the Pizza Champions

April 13, 2009
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.

June 1, 2009
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 pieits 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"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2009
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.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)