PITTSBURGH — A heartwarming and educational new children’s book series is about to take young readers on a journey through Italian-American culture, family traditions and the magic of pizza.

“A Story About Pizza,” is a new book written by Pittsburgh native Erica D’Arcangelo.

The work’s purpose is to bring the spirit of Italy’s culinary heritage to the pages of a new generation.

The first book in the series is entitled “Pietro’s Pizza.” The story was inspired by D’Arc’s Pizza in Windber, a local institution that is known for its authentic, family-style pizza and Italian food, according to the author.

The establishment was opened in 1960 and is still locally owned and operated.

The series intention is to captivate children between the ages of 2 and 12, and introduce them to the world of pizza, along with the various fresh ingredients that serve as pizza toppings and the importance of family connections.

In the first book of the series, “Pietro’s Pizza,” young readers will meet Pietro Americo.

Americo is a boy who has an immense passion for pizza, according to D’Arcangelo.

As the story unfolds, readers will follow Pietro into his family’s pizzeria, where he learns about the origins of pizza, the magic of fresh, local ingredients and how food plays an essential role in bringing people together.

“Each chapter celebrates the Italian values of love, generosity and the joy of sharing a meal with loved ones,” D’Arcangelo explained.

“Through Pietro’s eyes, readers will explore the beauty of Italian-American traditions — from making pizza dough, to the sense of community that surrounds a family-owned pizzeria,” she continued.

“It’s a story about heritage, family and the simple joy of a shared meal,” she concluded.

Each book in the series blends playful storytelling with educational content about the Italian culture.

The series is meant to encourage children to learn more about their family, ask more questions about the topic of food and be interested in discovering more information regarding Italian traditions.

The series is set to launch Sunday, just in time for National Pizza Day, according to officials. Pre-orders are available.

For information, contact book@astoryaboutpizza.com.