In Every Night Is Pizza Night, author J. Kenji Lopez‑Alt and illustrator Gianna Ruggiero, deliver a beautiful debut children’s book that touches on the importance of being open‑minded when trying new foods—a lesson important to people of all ages. The story opens with a family and their daughter Pipo, who according to her own scientific method, has proven that pizza is the best food one could eat. However, when that idea is challenged by her mom and her teacher, Pipo becomes determined to try other foods so she can prove them wrong.
As Pipo embarks on her journey through the neighborhood we see a variety of cuisines and their iconic dishes. Each dish is packed with its own stories and connections, from Korean bibimbap to Moroccan tagine and Mexican pozole. With each bite, Pipo’s taste buds and perspective change drastically: her eyes light up, and she comes to a realization that maybe her definition of “best” needs a change. More specifically, she realizes that what is really the “best” is up to each individual based on their own experiences with the food. Whether the food reminds one of their home or expresses love, each meal is something personal and tied to the memories they hold.
One thing that I wanted to highlight about this book were the amazing illustrations by first‑time illustrator Ruggiero. She was able to showcase characters’ emotions brilliantly, perfectly complementing the words on the page, making me really feel the story and its emotional beats. I also loved how beautifully she depicted each cultural dish, showcasing the individual ingredients and the care that goes into preparing them. (My personal highlight was the red beans and rice which made my stomach rumble my first time reading the book.)
By the end of the book, we see Pipo truly embrace the narrative of the story with an ending that showcases the joy of sharing food with others and bringing something new to the table. While I was mostly familiar with Lopez‑Alt’s culinary background, Every Night is Pizza Night is a standout book from Lopez‑Alt and Ruggiero that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages and backgrounds and I am hoping for more from him in the future. (And if you get the chance, make sure to try the pizza recipe found in the back of the book; I did and it was delicious!)
