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The Magic Behind The Past Pizza Parlor: Dragons, Samurai, and a Young Author's Journey
Join young author Asa as he shares his dragon-themed pizza story, featuring samurai, teamwork, and fun Q&A about his book and writing journey.
Welcome back to Kids Ask, Authors Answer, a joyful video series where children’s curiosity meets author creativity! Each episode brings together real kids and children’s book authors for a read-aloud followed by spontaneous, unscripted Q&A sessions.
The twist? The authors never see the questions ahead of time, so every answer is genuine, often funny, and always full of heart.
Amy Doslich is the author and illustrator behind the beloved Hannah Banana and Mary Berry series, a collection inspired by her two daughters. Her stories are known for their warmth, humor, and family-centered adventures.
Samantha Howard-Els brings her own sparkle as the creator of the Mungo series and Tiny Boo, books that mix kindness, curiosity, and Halloween fun.
In this episode, hosts Amy Doslich and Samantha (Sam) Howard-Els read The Past Pizza Parlor by Asa Biggs, an action-packed and imaginative picture book about two young samurai racing to save their hidden dojo pizza shop just days before its grand opening. When their oven collapses, a fire-breathing dragon steps in to help, but his flames might be a little too powerful for perfect pizza.
As kids follow Eto, Fujii, and their dragon friend on their quest, they’re swept into a story full of creativity, problem-solving, and unexpected twists. This episode is perfect for kids who love dragons, adventure, and stories that blend humor with heart.
It’s packed with laugh-out-loud questions and curious moments, all answered by Asa himself, including what inspired the story, why he chose a samurai setting, and whether dragon-fire pizza would actually taste good.
At the heart of "The Past Pizza Parlor" is a delightfully original premise: a band of samurai transform their dojo into a pizza parlor, only to encounter a string of culinary misadventures. When a fire dragon’s overly powerful flame ruins their pizzas, Eto and Fujii, two samurai on break from slicing pepperoni, embark on a journey to the mountains with the help of their dragon friend. Their mission: persuade a baby dragon, with a gentler flame, to bake the perfect pizzas for the establishment’s grand opening.
Adventure ensues, complete with mishaps like slipping into flour and coming face to face with a startled baby dragon. Ultimately, the teamwork of samurai and dragons saves the grand opening, with the pizzas baked to perfection by the baby dragon's delicate breath. The story is infused with wit and charm, echoing the universal theme that everyone brings their own flavor, much like the diverse ingredients atop each pizza.
Beyond the laughs and magical creatures, the book’s message is clear: teamwork and the unique contributions of every individual lead to success. As Eto graciously points out, victory was the result of everyone’s efforts rather than his and Fujii’s alone. The grand opening is a triumph, and every pizza served becomes a delicious reminder of what can be accomplished together.
After the read-along, the show’s hosts introduce Asa, a poised and creative 13-year-old author. Asa recounts that the story’s origins trace back to a homeschool writing prompt featuring three pictures: samurai slicing, dragon-riding, and the discovery of a baby dragon. With a spark of inspiration, “What if they were making pizzas?” Asa wrote an essay that blossomed into a book project when his mom suggested its potential as a children’s story.
Perhaps as remarkable as the story itself are the book’s illustrations, crafted by Asa’s mom using origami and torn paper techniques. While Asa admits his few attempts at drawing samurai were “rough,” a creative brainstorming session at the library led to a lightbulb moment: using construction paper to create vibrant, tactile landscapes. His mother executed most of the folding and tearing, with Asa contributing to at least one mountain scene. The entire artistic process took around six months, demonstrating both patience and the magic that unfolds when creativity is a team effort.
The origami style not only complements the book’s Japanese themes but also adds a unique tactile dimension to the visuals, making the story leap off the page in unexpected ways.
Children’s natural curiosity fuels the show, as young fans pose questions that range from practical to fantastical:
Aurelia, 8, asks why the samurai are running a pizza parlor in Japan rather than Italy, the birthplace of pizza. Asa explains that he wanted to combine his fondness for pizza with his fascination for dragons and samurai, iconic to Japan but not Italy. The quirky blend speaks to how creative storytelling can transcend traditional boundaries.
Toby, 8, wonders if pizza cooked with dragon fire tastes different. The unanimous answer, from author, hosts, and audience alike, is a resounding yes; everyone agrees that dragon-fired pizza must be delicious. The sentiment underlines the infectious enthusiasm and suspension of disbelief that makes children’s books so much fun.
Edison, 9, asks what happens when dragons run out of fire. Asa imagines that dragons have “a lot of fire,” certainly enough to keep up with pizza demand, refueling simply by enjoying more pizza themselves. This cyclical logic, eat pizza, make pizza, repeat, adds delightful mythology to dragon lore.
Aria, 7, brings up the all-important issue of dragon hiccups. Asa laughs, speculating that hiccuping dragons could be the real reason for pizza-oven disasters. Sometimes, the best stories grow from such whimsical what-ifs!
Younger fans, like Poppy (5), seek to understand the basics: samurai are explained as Asian equivalents to knights, clad in flowing attire and wielding katana swords—a simple yet effective explanation for young readers.
Mary, 4, asks Asa if he’s ever wielded a sword. While not in mortal combat, Asa narrates a suburban sword battle with an old cabinet and an “axe hammer thing”, proving that a writer’s life, too, can be an adventure.
In a delightful aside, Asa reveals a sword mounted on his wall featuring a dragon motif and cooks, making him muse whether inanimate objects know about his book!
The hosts probe into the process of illustration, marveling at the torn paper used for mountain ranges and the intricate folding of the samurai, dragons, and tents sometimes using pages torn from old books. Asa reveals that while he attempted a few folds, his mother was the primary artist behind the origami designs.
The choice to use origami was inspired more by necessity than ambition; when Asa’s drawings didn’t quite meet expectations, the duo pivoted to paper art while brainstorming at a library, creating a unique visual identity that perfectly complements the book’s setting.
In total, the book process stretched to nearly a year, evidence of both perseverance and the rewarding nature of collaborative creative projects.
Asa gamely participates in a fast-paced quiz, fielding questions about pizza, samurai, and dragons:
Pizza is usually cut into triangles.
Samurai use swords (katanas) and wear armor for protection.
Samurai originated in Japan.
The crunchy part of the pizza is called the crust.
Mozzarella is the most common white cheese on pizza.
Samurai often have their hair in a "topknot" or bun (he passes on this one, despite it featuring in his illustrations).
Samurai ride horses or, in the magical world of the book, dragons!
These moments reinforce the fun, playful energy that’s at the heart of the show.
Children are naturally intrigued by pizza permutations. Grace (6) asks about the weirdest pizza the samurai attempted, and Asa divulges it was one topped with roasted mushrooms. An experiment that apparently didn’t go well, but at least found a fan among the hosting panel!
The episode wraps up with a running debate about the most (and least) acceptable pizza toppings. Asa and his mom agree on never wanting mushrooms or anchovies on their pizzas. The hosts add their aversions, blue cheese and chicken both making the “never again” list, while sharing creative favorites like spinach, artichoke hearts, and grilled chicken with Alfredo sauce.
Ethan (9) and Toby (8) ask what dragons might prefer as pizza toppings, possible favorites include various meats or fish, in keeping with their fiery, carnivorous natures. Asked if dragons like dragon fruit, Asa muses that “it’s in the name,” but admits he hasn’t tried dragon fruit himself (nor, so far, worked up enthusiasm for fruit as a pizza topping).
Spencer (5) postulates the need for jumbo pizzas. Asa assumes dragons might simply eat many normal-sized pies, much to the satisfaction of both dragons and pizza makers alike.
The conversation turns to future plans and advice for aspiring authors. Asa reveals he is working on a sequel to "The Past Pizza Parlor" and also developing a full-length novel. This longer project, geared toward early teens but accessible to younger readers, follows a group of interstellar travelers who must collect powerful artifacts and battle darkness. A testament to Asa’s growing storytelling ambition.
When asked what advice he offers to others who want to write, Asa’s answer is simple and empowering: just go for it. “There’s not too young of an age to get it done,” he emphasizes, applauding the importance of family support. His own creative journey standing as a glowing example. It’s a call for young creatives to embark on their own projects, no matter their age or experience.
The episode culminates with a cameo by Asa’s mom, the talent behind the book’s origami illustrations. Her creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance are roundly celebrated by the hosts, and serve as a reminder of the power of artistic collaboration, especially between family members.
"The Past Pizza Parlor" is more than a whimsical story about samurai and dragons baking pizzas. It's a testament to the creative possibilities open to every child, every family, and every reader. By blending cultures, genres, and personal passions, Asa and his mom have created a story that's both utterly unique and universally appealing.
Asa's advice for would-be writers and artists is the perfect final word: go for it, no matter your age. With a little bit of imagination, a spirit of adventure, and the support of those around you, you never know where your own creative journey might lead, which might just be to a pizza parlor run by samurai and staffed with dragons.
Want to Grab a Copy of The Past Pizza Parlor?
You can find it here*: https://amzn.to/40uC0JY
Watch them here: Kids Ask Authors Answer Interviews!
You can also find Amy and Sam’s books here:
Amy Doslich – Hannah Banana and Mary Berry series*: https://amzn.to/4eLoZ3G
Samantha Howard-Els – Mungo series & Tiny Boo*: https://amzn.to/3CBx9OF
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