With a younger group
Choose one sample picture and one question, then move to coloring. Children can point to something they notice instead of speaking to the whole group.
A story, a conversation, a little making
Preschool
Storytime with Patty
Turn Picky Patty Only Eats Pizza into a playful read-aloud session with picture-talk questions and a pretend-pizza coloring activity.
Ages 3–7 · About 20 minutes · No food preparation
See the Storytime Plan
Read. Wonder. Create.Before the children gather
A simple setup
Gather your materials
- A copy of the book, or the two free sample spreads for a shorter picture-talk session.
- A Pizza Coloring Pack PDF, printed for the children taking part.
- Crayons or colored pencils, and a comfortable place to sit.
Make the plan your own
The times below are suggestions, not a schedule to complete. Shorten the session, choose one question, or leave the coloring for another day.
This plan is about enjoying a story and sharing ideas. Children can talk, point, draw, or pass.
Your read-aloud plan
Four small moments of storytime
Use the full story if you have the book. The sample spreads work for the opening conversation and a shorter activity, but don’t contain the whole story.
- 2 minutes
Meet Patty and Buddy
Show the cover or first sample spread. Introduce Patty, who loves pizza, and Buddy, her dog. Invite the children to look closely before you begin reading.
Try asking: “What do you notice in this picture?” “What do you think Patty likes?” - 5–8 minutes
Read and leave room to wonder
Read the story aloud, pausing at a picture that catches the group’s attention. Enjoy the rhymes together. If you’re using the samples, talk about Patty’s favorite food and Buddy’s birthday basket.
Try asking: “How do you think Buddy feels about the basket?” “What might happen next?” - 5–8 minutes
Make a pretend pizza
Offer a coloring page. Invite each child to choose colors for a pretend pizza. It can have familiar toppings, imaginative toppings, or simply their favorite colors.
Try asking: “What would you call your pizza?” “Would you like to tell us about one part of your picture?” - 2 minutes
Share a favorite moment
Invite children who want to share to show their page or name a favorite picture from the story. End with a quick goodbye to Patty and Buddy.
Try asking: “Which part would you like to read again?”
To keep a paper copy of the plan, use your browser’s Print command. This page includes a simplified print layout.
For home, preschool or the library
Small ways to adapt the session
With children who want more
Ask them to imagine a different basket for Buddy, name their pretend pizza, or describe what might happen after a sample spread.
At home with one child
Let your child choose a picture to revisit. You can keep the coloring page nearby and return to it after the read-aloud.
Planning questions
Do we need to taste food during storytime?
No. This plan uses a book or sample pictures, paper and coloring materials. The activity is about a pretend pizza; no tasting is part of the session.
Can I use the plan without buying the book?
Yes, for a shorter picture-talk and coloring session. The sample spreads give you two scenes to explore. You’ll need the book to read the complete story.
Where are the other free activities?
The activities page has the Pizza Coloring Pack, Flavor Detective Chart and Brave Bite Tracker. All three are available without signing up.
Prepared by the Picky Patty team as a companion to Picky Patty Only Eats Pizza by Maggie Merritt.
Bring the complete story to your shelf
Read Patty and Buddy’s adventure
Explore the rhymes and illustrations together, then return to the coloring activity whenever you like.