Is it too scary for sensitive kids?

Not at all. The 'enemy' is just a normal kid who was slightly mean once. The 'pie' turns out to be a totally normal, delicious pie.

Does the book give a real recipe for the pie?

It doesn't provide a literal recipe, but it mentions the kid imagining things like worms and rocks. The dad's 'secret' is just a standard, tasty pie meant to be shared.

Is this a good book for a classroom or group setting?

It's a classic for teachers. It's great for reading aloud because the pacing allows for lots of 'what do you think happens next?' questions.

What is the actual reading level?

It's perfect for 1st or 2nd graders to read themselves, but it's most effective as a read-aloud for preschoolers and kindergarteners who are still learning the social ropes.

Enemy Pie – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Enemy Pie

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2000

92%

WISE Score

A kid tries to bake his neighborhood rival out of existence, only to discover that spending a whole day together is the ultimate 'poison' for a feud.

Enemy Pie

book

2000

92%

WISE Score

A kid tries to bake his neighborhood rival out of existence, only to discover that spending a whole day together is the ultimate 'poison' for a feud.

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Where to Read

Amazon

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Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the ultimate 'social-emotional learning' book for parents who hate the term social-emotional learning. It’s funny, the art is great, and the lesson sticks because it doesn't feel like a lecture. If your kid is currently locked in a cold war with the kid down the street, read this tonight.

It avoids the trap of many 'moral' books by letting the kid be a little bit salty at the start. The resolution feels earned because it requires the characters to actually spend time together, rather than just being told to 'be nice.'

Age Fit

Perfect for the 4-to-8 crowd. This is the prime age for neighborhood drama and the 'you're not my friend anymore' phase.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It models a healthy, patient parenting approach and a realistic path to friendship that doesn't feel forced or sugary.

Imaginative

The central hook—a 'poison' pie that's actually just a ruse for a playdate—is clever and captures a kid's specific brand of logic.

Safe

100

It is a picture book about baking and friendship. Zero content risks.

Enriching

Provides a masterclass in empathy and conflict resolution without being preachy or boring.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Conflict resolution that actually feels like a story rather than a classroom lecture.
Great dad representation where the parent is the wise, quiet strategist instead of the bumbling comic relief.
Relatable stakes for any kid who has ever felt left out or decided someone was their 'nemesis' over a minor slight.
Humorous tone that keeps the moral from feeling heavy-handed or annoying.

⚠

What to Watch For

The protagonist starts with an 'enemy list,' which might inspire some kids to start their own, though the book's entire point is to dismantle it.

Conversation Starters

"What do you think was actually in the enemy pie?"
"Why did the dad make them play together all day before they could eat?"
"What makes someone an enemy instead of just a person you haven't gotten to know yet?"
"How did the boy's feelings about Jeremy change from the morning to the evening?"

Deep Dive

Derek Munson nails the specific, petty logic of childhood grudges. The protagonist starts with a 'hit list' of enemies, and his dad—the undisputed MVP of this story—doesn't tell him he's being mean. Instead, he agrees to help 'get rid' of the enemy using a secret recipe. The catch? The boy has to spend the entire day being nice to his rival while the pie bakes.

It’s a brilliant bit of psychological warfare disguised as a baking project. By the time they actually sit down to eat, the 'enemy' has been humanized through a day of trampolines and shared snacks. It’s a perfect pick for that transition period in kindergarten or first grade where social circles are hardening and 'you can't come to my birthday party' becomes a weapon.

The art by Tara Calahan King is stylized and slightly weird in a way that keeps it from feeling like a generic 'lesson' book. It’s a library staple for a reason: it works because it respects how kids actually think and feel about their peers.

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