School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-There are worse ways to ingest the study of fractions than by reading a book about pizza, which must have been the thinking behind this extremely slight mystery. Fractions are interjected into the text at every opportunity, as when Charlie invites 1/4 of his friends for dinner, which must be shared with his five family members. The small crisis when 1/12 of the pie goes missing is resolved when Charlie's improbably magnanimous parents content themselves with 1 1/2 slices apiece. The retro-spectrum digital illustrations are serviceable, just like the math lesson. VERDICT Less peppy than pepperoni.-Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Library, NY © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Pizza night provides ample chances for the eponymous character-who has a pie chart for a body-to use fractions. With five family members and Charlie's friend Lewis visiting, there are six diners: "Everyone agreed on the size: Large! That meant everyone would get 2 slices." Picking a topping presents another challenge (" `Yuck, no veggies!' yelled 4/6 of the pizza eaters"). When it's time to eat, one of the slices is missing, and Charlie gets to play detective. Using pizza to teach fractions may not be new, but a lighthearted tone ("Anchovies are tiny little fish, and why anyone would want them on their pizza is a mystery that may never be solved"), and newcomer Comstock's playful graphics, which have a weathered, retro quality, make the lesson go down as easy as pie. Ages 4-8. Agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
