Product Description

At first glance, Arnie looks like an average doughnut-round, cakey, with a hole in the middle, iced and sprinkled. He was made by one of the best bakeries in town, and admittedly his sprinkles are candy-colored. Still, a doughnut is just a doughnut, right? WRONG! Not if Arnie has anything to say about it. And, for a doughnut, he sure seems to have an awful lot to say. Can Arnie change the fate of all doughnuts-or at least have a hand in his own future? Well, you'll just have to read this funny story and find out for yourself.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37037 in Books
• Published on: 2003-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 40 pages

Amazon.com Review
Laurie Keller, creator of the wonderful picture books The Scrambled States of America and Open Wide: Tooth School Inside, cooks up a rather silly story about a doughnut who narrowly escapes his doughnut fate. Arnie is proud to be chocolate-covered, with bright-colored candy sprinkles. His first day on the planet is a big one. He is 1) cut into a ring 2) deep-fried 3) cooled 4) iced 5) sprinkled and 6) named Arnie. What he doesn't realize is that step 7 is being eaten by a human. So, when a customer, Mr. Bing, starts to put him in his mouth, he screams, "What are you doing?" Arnie is further crushed when he calls the bakery to warn the others only to discover that all the other pastries are "aware of this arrangement." Unfortunately, this delightful plot twist is soured by the contrived ones that follow. Mr. Bing decides that in order to get his money's worth from Arnie he can pretend the doughnut is the dog he's always wanted--a doughnut-dog that will roll over, play fetch, etc.: "He went through a short phase of chewing on the furniture and barking at the mailman, but after a crash course in obedience school he graduated first in his class." However half-baked the story turns out to be, the funny asides and captions that Keller sprinkles throughout the book are often brilliant and the busy, crazy paintings are lots of fun, too. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-Similar in style and format to Keller's Open Wide (Holt, 2000), this fun-filled adventure takes readers to a bakery. A chocolate-covered doughnut serves as guide, describing each of the steps involved in the creation of various confections. Poor Arnie, however, is clueless as to why people buy tasty treats, and when he is sold to Mr. Bing, he is shocked to discover his fate. Refusing to be eaten, he devises numerous reasons why he should remain whole and ways that he might benefit his new owner. The story becomes quite silly, as both characters think of ridiculous alternatives to the traditional role of a doughnut. Arnie suggests, "I could be your chauffeur," and Mr. Bing replies, "But you can't see over the steering wheel." Then Arnie volunteers to be a bodyguard, and Mr. Bing quips, "Who could you protect me from-a cookie?" In the end, the pastry is substituted for a pet and becomes a "doughnut-dog," doing tricks, attending obedience school, protecting Mr. Bing's abode, and becoming his best friend. Done in acrylic paints and collage, the cartoon artwork flows all over the pages, showing a multitude of details and amusingly bizarre drawings. Filled with offbeat humor, this fantasy spoof also highlights Arnie's optimistic, can-do personality. Kids will eat it up.
Rita Soltan, formerly at Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 2-4, younger for reading aloud. Keller's previous picture books have combined wild cartoon humor with a lesson. The Scrambled States of America (1999) introduced U.S. geography; Open Wide (2000) took a look at dental care. Her latest effort maintains the exuberant energy of the previous titles, but it dispenses with lessons in favor of a fantastical story about a doughnut that doesn't want to be eaten. Naive Arnie is delighted when Mr. Bing selects him from the tray at the Downtown Bakery ("Home of the Best Doughnuts A-Round"). But, when Mr. Bing tries to eat him, Arnie is shocked, indignant, and pleading. Soft-hearted Mr. Bing agrees to find a role for Arnie, other than breakfast. The solution? Arnie will become his pet--the world's first "doughnut-dog." The quirky friendship story is sweet, but unsubstantial; and new readers may find the text on the chaotic spreads difficult to follow. Keller's riotous collages, however, which are filled with gleeful puns, winning characters, and over-the-top silliness, are as manic and fun as a sugar high. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Laurie does it again!!!
Well, here we are again with a funny, fun-to-look-at and fun to explore book. She has received a magnificent review by the New York Times and best of all, my grandkids and my friends grandkids give it a 5 star rating as well. When I first heard about her new subject I was in doubt about where she could take this idea. I will never question again. This one is a real lesson on life and guess what? The kids get it. Highly recommend you read it, too, and see if you are as smart as the kids. Loved it.

Pastry is tasty but friends are forever
Arnie is a most unusual donut, in that he, of all the donuts, is the only one who objects to his purpose in life -- being eaten! A great story for anyone who has ever resented having their life directed by someone else. Very funny, with lots of little jokes scattered throughout the pages -- don't forget to read the inside front and back covers, too!

delighted 8 year old twins & their tough 11 year old brother
Checked this book out from the local library & we all loved it so much that I have ordered a copy for my kids for Christmas. It's just so funny & quirky--you'll never feel the same going into Krispy Kreme again. I can't wait for Laurie Keller to put another book out there! COntinued success to her!