When Zia Donatella comes to live with the Bertolizzi family, little do Alfie and his older sister Emilia know what's in store for them. Zia Dontella is determined to show the kids how a home-cooked meal is better than even the best take-out pizza or burrito. And when Zia's plan actually transports Alfie and Emilia to famous food cities around the world, they learn first-hand how food can not only take you places but can also bring you back home. Alfie and Emilia find themselves transported to Naples, where they meet Marco, a young Italian boy on a very important mission to shop for the essential ingredients for his family's entry in the city's annual pizzafest contest. In their whirlwind search for the perfect items, Alfie and Emilia not only get a taste of Italy, but also find themselves refereeing a family feud between Marco's family and his uncle's family.
- Used Book in Good Condition
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful.
Nice read aloud book
By K. Cox
I bought this book as a read aloud for my fifth grade class, it sounded interesting, and it was short, so it wouldn't take as long to read to them as a regular novel. I wasn't expecting a whole lot, but my kids loved it, and are excitedly waiting to hear the next installment. It's an easy read aloud, and the chapters are short enough that one can be read in about ten minutes. I always made sure to make each chapter ending sound like a cliff hanger, and it kept them asking for the next chapter. Right before the winter holidays I am going to take a morning and we are going to make the recipes that came with the books. They will love that.
21 of 25 people found the following review helpful.Brava, Giada! Grazie mille! Great for the young and the young at heart!
By Julia Gray
I bought this book because, for me, a recipe for Neopolitan pizza is the Holy Grail of all pizza recipes, and Giada has it at the end of this book! The best pizza in my life was at a Neopolitan pizzeria in a small village south of Rome. Like the pizza in this book, it had mozzarella di bufala, and it just melts in your mouth. San Marzano tomatoes are the best I have ever had. As I was reading about these ingredients, my mouth started to water and it all made sense why Naples has the best pizza on earth. The story is surprisingly original. My nephews are going to love it! The book reminded me a bit of how I felt growing up in Alaska surrounded by non-Italian-Americans except for my family. The "Presto Pesto" brand of pizza comparison to actual Italian pizza made me laugh out loud! Anyway, you'll love this book regardless of age. The ideas expressed about cooking, family, and tradition are not something addressed on TV cooking shows or other recipe books by anyone! That, including the Naples pizza recipe at the end, is what makes this book stand out. I am excited for this series! Brava, Giada!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful.Great Read
By Carrie King
I enjoyed this as much as my children did! Easy to read and wonderful to bring the story to life in my kitchen.
