By Brian Hernandez
There are certain childhood memories that stick like melted mozzarella. For me, one of the earliest sparks of loving books didn’t come from a quiet library corner or a stern reading assignment. It came from school book fairs, those magical pop-up bazaars of glossy paperbacks and impossible promise. It came from Pizza Hut’s BOOK IT program, where reading enough pages meant a free personal pan pizza. And it came from Saturday mornings, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, watching Geordi La Forge teach the universe how to read on Reading Rainbow while hoping there might be some of that leftover pizza in the fridge.
Who am I kidding? There were never leftovers.
Somewhere along the way, books and pizza fused into the same part of my brain. Reading wasn’t homework. It was a reward. It was fun. It was something I wanted to do. That same idea sits at the heart of I Only Eat Pizza, a picture book by Benita Gibson that understands something important about kids: Sometimes you don’t lure them into learning with rules. Sometimes you do it with joy, humor and a slice of something familiar.
The book centers on Harrison, a young boy who believes pizza is the only food worth eating. When he joins a cooking class with Ms. Akilah, he’s faced with something far more intimidating than broccoli or new flavors. He’s faced with change. What unfolds isn’t a lecture about nutrition, but a gentle, funny story about bravery, flexibility and taking small steps outside your comfort zone.
“It’s really about more than food,” Gibson told me. “It’s about confidence, flexibility and courage. I wanted kids to see themselves in Harrison and realize that being brave doesn’t mean being perfect…it just means trying.”
Written for Pre-K through elementary-aged readers, I Only Eat Pizza uses humor and heart to explore themes many families recognize instantly: picky eating, fear of change and the quiet pressure kids feel when facing new experiences. Gibson drew inspiration directly from her own household and her work as an educator.
“This story was inspired by my own child and the real conversations many families have around picky eating and trying new foods,” she explained. “As a homeschool mom and educator, I saw how many kids struggle with change or fear new experiences. I wanted to create a story that makes growth feel safe, fun and empowering.”
That philosophy doesn’t stop at the last page of the book. On February 9, 2026, Gibson will bring the story to life with a free National Pizza Day community event at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland. The event transforms literacy into something active, communal and celebratory.
“My goal is simple,” Gibson said. “Get kids excited about reading, encourage them to try something new, and bring families and local businesses together.”
Designed as a festival-style experience, the event will feature free pizza tastings from local pizzerias, arts and crafts, games, raffles, face painting, balloon animals, book signings and community resource tables. One highlight is the “Brave Bite Corner,” where kids can try new foods and earn certificates for stepping outside their comfort zones.
“Everything is going to tie back to the book’s message: ‘Be brave enough to try,’” Gibson said. “Kids hear the story, then immediately practice bravery in real life—whether that’s tasting a new food, asking a question, or participating in an activity. Reading becomes active instead of passive. They don’t just read about courage—they experience it.”
A big part of what makes the National Pizza Day/I Only Eat Pizza tie-in celebration work is the local support behind it. Gibson has rallied a strong lineup of Waldorf and La Plata pizzerias that are donating slices to help turn the book’s message into a lived experience for kids and families.
Participating pizzerias include Ledo’s Pizza stores in Billingsley, Waldorf and La Plata; and Napoli’s Pizzeria, Burnt Box Pizza, Galazio Restaurant & Bar, and Boston Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar, all in Waldorf.
Their involvement goes beyond feeding a crowd. By donating pizza for the event, these operators are helping create positive associations between reading, community and shared experiences—exactly the kind of connection that keeps kids engaged and excited. It’s a reminder that local pizzerias often play a bigger role than just serving food. They become gathering places, memory-makers, and, in this case, unexpected champions of literacy. And groups like the sheriff’s department and health department will also be on hand, reinforcing the sense that this is a community effort centered on kids.
“It truly feels like the whole community coming together for kids,” Gibson said.
The event also reflects the broader mission of Tattoon Kids, Gibson’s storytelling-focused initiative built around helping children grow in confidence, creativity and character. “Tattoon Kids exists to help children grow in confidence, creativity and character through storytelling,” she explained. “This event is that mission in action. It’s literacy plus life skills plus community—all wrapped in fun.”
And this is only the beginning. Gibson envisions the National Pizza Day event becoming an annual tradition, alongside school visits, book-based celebrations and literacy events that connect stories to real-world experiences.
For parents and educators, I Only Eat Pizza is meant to open conversations long after the book is closed. “I hope families and teachers use the book as a conversation starter,” Gibson said. “Talk about trying new foods, new ideas or new challenges. Ask kids what their ‘brave bite’ might be. It’s meant to open doors—not just close the last page.”
Decades ago, reading programs understood that motivation mattered. Tie stories to joy, community and a little incentive, and will would follow. Gibson’s work taps into that same timeless truth. Sometimes the path to lifelong learning doesn’t begin with pressure or perfection. Sometimes it starts with a story, a safe space to try, and yes—a slice of pizza.
By the way, my go-to’s as a brand-new reader were the BFG and the pepperoni personal pan pizza from BOOK IT. What was yours?! Let me know at [email protected].
