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The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut
Arnie, the Doughnut
A deliciously imaginative story about friendship--from the author / illustrator of "The Scrambled States of America."
"Arnie was fascinated as he watched the customers stream into the bakery. One by one, doughnuts were chosen, placed in paper bags, and whisked away with their new owners. Some went by the dozen in giant boxes."
""Good-bye!" Arnie yelled to each doughnut. "Have a good trip!""
""This is so exciting!" Arnie beamed. "I wonder who will choose ME?""
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. "Arnie, the Doughnut" is a 2004 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
"Arnie was fascinated as he watched the customers stream into the bakery. One by one, doughnuts were chosen, placed in paper bags, and whisked away with their new owners. Some went by the dozen in giant boxes."
""Good-bye!" Arnie yelled to each doughnut. "Have a good trip!""
""This is so exciting!" Arnie beamed. "I wonder who will choose ME?""
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. "Arnie, the Doughnut" is a 2004 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2003
About the author
Laurie Keller
44 books119 followersLaurie Keller grew up in Muskegon, Michigan. She always loved to draw, paint and write stories. She spent much of her time performing in a local dance tour company and dancing in and choreographing some civic theatre shows.
She graduated several years later with a BFA in Illustration. She also got a job as a greeting card illustrator at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Missouri. She is the author and illustrator of many children's books.
She graduated several years later with a BFA in Illustration. She also got a job as a greeting card illustrator at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Missouri. She is the author and illustrator of many children's books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews
April 26, 2022
I'm not going to lie, this book intrigued me. It’s premise is quite simple, but it is in that simplicity that its wonder lives:
A doughnut, Arnie, has been made fresh and has been bought and it’s on its way to the breakfast table. Yet Arnie doesn’t know doghnuts are made for eating so… How can this not be a tragedy in the making?
Well, Laurie Keller manages to infuse the book with tons of humor, at times in the text, at times in the images, but she also includes some good doses of surprise and a big load of food for thought.
I won’t tell you how this ends, I’d be ruining the fun if I did, but I will tell you this: This is a good book, a fun book, an interesting book, and most of all, this is an original book.
PS The story also offers great chances for making funny voices, a quality every adult who has read to a child surely appreciates.
A doughnut, Arnie, has been made fresh and has been bought and it’s on its way to the breakfast table. Yet Arnie doesn’t know doghnuts are made for eating so… How can this not be a tragedy in the making?
Well, Laurie Keller manages to infuse the book with tons of humor, at times in the text, at times in the images, but she also includes some good doses of surprise and a big load of food for thought.
I won’t tell you how this ends, I’d be ruining the fun if I did, but I will tell you this: This is a good book, a fun book, an interesting book, and most of all, this is an original book.
PS The story also offers great chances for making funny voices, a quality every adult who has read to a child surely appreciates.
November 25, 2017
Though thrilled when he is chosen from the bakery case, Arnie is appalled when he learns his true purpose in life - to be a tasty treat!
Can he change his intended consumer's mind about eating him?
This is adorable - a fun story with a surprising ending, and Keller's illustrations provide tons of stuff to look at on every page.
But, no . . . I'm NOT going to stop eating doughnuts.
They are just TOO D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S !!!
Can he change his intended consumer's mind about eating him?
This is adorable - a fun story with a surprising ending, and Keller's illustrations provide tons of stuff to look at on every page.
But, no . . . I'm NOT going to stop eating doughnuts.
They are just TOO D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S !!!
November 17, 2019
Arnie, a doughnut with chocolate icing and rainbow sprinkles, was eager for a customer to buy him from the Downtown Bakery. Then he discovered his eventual fate - to be eaten as a tasty treat - and was horrified. Managing to convince his purchaser, Mr. Bing, not to eat him, Arnie and his new human acquaintance began to brainstorm: what could a doughnut do, other than be a pastry? Fortunately, Mr. Bing had an idea...
Originally published in 2003, Arnie the Doughnut marked the first appearance of its eponymous edible hero, who would reappear in a chapter-book series devoted to his adventures, beginning in 2013. I enjoyed the story here, although I always wonder, with these anthropomorphic food item stories, in which the hero attempts to avoid being eaten, whether young children will be somehow affected, and unable to consume said item after hearing the tale? Not being able to to eat doughnuts anymore sounds like a terrible fate! Leaving that aside, the conclusion of the story also felt a little off to me, perhaps because I had trouble suspending my disbelief, as it concerns a doughnut as . Laurie Keller's artwork was colorful, if a little busy - lots of additional text, in the form of speech bubbles - but the overall effect was entertaining. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books with a quirky, offbeat sense of humor.
Originally published in 2003, Arnie the Doughnut marked the first appearance of its eponymous edible hero, who would reappear in a chapter-book series devoted to his adventures, beginning in 2013. I enjoyed the story here, although I always wonder, with these anthropomorphic food item stories, in which the hero attempts to avoid being eaten, whether young children will be somehow affected, and unable to consume said item after hearing the tale? Not being able to to eat doughnuts anymore sounds like a terrible fate! Leaving that aside, the conclusion of the story also felt a little off to me, perhaps because I had trouble suspending my disbelief, as it concerns a doughnut as . Laurie Keller's artwork was colorful, if a little busy - lots of additional text, in the form of speech bubbles - but the overall effect was entertaining. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books with a quirky, offbeat sense of humor.
December 12, 2008
Laurie Keller is a hoot. I enjoyed this even more than her Scrambled States books. This is another one best for independent readers. It’s a very busy book with all sorts of asides and jokes and other extra material on every page. I actually laughed while reading this; this unusual story is wickedly funny. It’s the only picture book I can remember having to make a point to avoid spoilers.
March 16, 2021
An over-the-top story about a man and a doughnut This one will have ages giggling or laughing. It's by Laurie Keller, author of the kid-favorite Potato Pants!.
June 9, 2021
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.
9 June 2021
Arnie just crawls deeper into my heart with each reread. Part of it is being impressed with how Keller worked out the conundrum to provide an ending that was perfectly satisfying in an unexpected way. Big brain thinking. It's a happy store at least in part because of how unhappy it could be.
***
11 August 2018
Yet another book I liked more the second time around. Keller's sense of humor is appealing, the artwork has a funky quality, the story amuses, especially the big plot twist.
We went out to eat after I re-read it, to a restaurant that provides coloring sheets and crayons; most of us colored. Yeah, we're like that. The Spouse made one of the most disturbing art pieces I've ever seen, which the waiter loved. One of the kids recreated Dead Toreador by Manet, only with a duck. Anyway, I turned my duck into one floating on the Eno in a doughnut. And then we stopped and bought doughnuts for breakfast on Sunday morning. They were delicious, but gone too soon. Oh, the sadness of reading Arnie with no more doughnuts to eat!
Books: they get all up in your life.
Library copy
9 June 2021
Arnie just crawls deeper into my heart with each reread. Part of it is being impressed with how Keller worked out the conundrum to provide an ending that was perfectly satisfying in an unexpected way. Big brain thinking. It's a happy store at least in part because of how unhappy it could be.
***
11 August 2018
Yet another book I liked more the second time around. Keller's sense of humor is appealing, the artwork has a funky quality, the story amuses, especially the big plot twist.
We went out to eat after I re-read it, to a restaurant that provides coloring sheets and crayons; most of us colored. Yeah, we're like that. The Spouse made one of the most disturbing art pieces I've ever seen, which the waiter loved. One of the kids recreated Dead Toreador by Manet, only with a duck. Anyway, I turned my duck into one floating on the Eno in a doughnut. And then we stopped and bought doughnuts for breakfast on Sunday morning. They were delicious, but gone too soon. Oh, the sadness of reading Arnie with no more doughnuts to eat!
Books: they get all up in your life.
Library copy
March 1, 2023
Rich in dialogue, you can see major character growth regarding the doughnut.
November 7, 2024
Amazing beautiful wonderful
May 18, 2024
what a great read!
March 2, 2021
Arnie is a doughnut. He has great sprinkles. And he loves being held by his new friend. Until, hey wait! Is he going to be eaten?! Just watch Arnie talk himself out of this one!
November 28, 2015
This book is ridiculous, and not in a good way. A doughnut discovers he is going to be eaten and freaks out. The guy who bought him doesn't want his money to go to waste, so they come up with ideas of what Arnie could do for Mr. Bing. They finally decide that Arnie will be Mr. Bing's doughnut-dog. It's gross. People pet Arnie and then have chocolate and sprinkles all over their hands. Disgusting. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
March 19, 2020
Hilarious! The read aloud performed by Chris O'Dowd is done perfectly!
March 31, 2020
Text-to-Teaching Connection
I enjoyed reading this book and thought that in the end the author made two excellent points that students can be taught. First, it is obvious that Arnie the Doughnut and Mr. Bing are two totally different beings with different backgrounds and points of view. Mr. Bing sees Arnie as simply a doughnut that is meant to be eaten, while Arnie sees himself as a lot more than that and even convinces Mr. Bing to let him be his pet by the end of the story. The point that can be taught is that while we may come form different backgrounds or experiences, we all have something to offer that can be beneficial to the whole group.
The second lesson that can be taught is that while a student may not be good at what everyone else is good at, every student has a skill set and it is all about finding what they are good at. The book can be used as an introduction into either one of these types of lessons. Each happen in classrooms every year. As in the first lesson, each class is made up of students from different backgrounds and they need to learn how to work together. Also, with the second lesson, there are students that are going to struggle every year with one subject or another. This book will help them see that they will not struggle with everything and that everything will work out in the end.
I enjoyed reading this book and thought that in the end the author made two excellent points that students can be taught. First, it is obvious that Arnie the Doughnut and Mr. Bing are two totally different beings with different backgrounds and points of view. Mr. Bing sees Arnie as simply a doughnut that is meant to be eaten, while Arnie sees himself as a lot more than that and even convinces Mr. Bing to let him be his pet by the end of the story. The point that can be taught is that while we may come form different backgrounds or experiences, we all have something to offer that can be beneficial to the whole group.
The second lesson that can be taught is that while a student may not be good at what everyone else is good at, every student has a skill set and it is all about finding what they are good at. The book can be used as an introduction into either one of these types of lessons. Each happen in classrooms every year. As in the first lesson, each class is made up of students from different backgrounds and they need to learn how to work together. Also, with the second lesson, there are students that are going to struggle every year with one subject or another. This book will help them see that they will not struggle with everything and that everything will work out in the end.
December 12, 2020
While enjoying Laurie Keller's latest Arnie book, Hello, Arnie! I realized that I'd never reviewed Arnie the Doughnut, the sequel. Arnie freshly baked in the Downtown Bakery with chocolate icing and "millions" of sprinkles couldn't wait to meet his customer. As his doughnut friends were purchased and scooped up by eager customers, Arnie awaited his turn. He was delighted when Mr. Bing, a customer finally selected him, and he was placed in his own paper bag. After a bumpy ride home his owner did something unexpected. Arnie had to call the bakery to inform the others doughnuts about managing their expectations. This story is so clever with wondrous animated illustrations that come alive with humor and expression. It makes a dynamic read aloud that will cheer up any class K-5th. The smiles erupt as Arnie says funny things such as; "Good-Bye!" Arnie yelled to each doughnut. "Have a great trip!" This is probably the favorite picture book in our library, and one of mine too. Who knew doughnuts could be so tasty AND entertaining!
September 28, 2020
Arnie is made in a bakery, just like all the other doughnuts. He watched as the other doughnuts get bought and he can't wait until it is his turn. When Arnie was bought, he didn't want to just be eaten like any normal doughnut, he wanted to be something else. At the end, he decided he wanted to be a dog. This is a fun story for kids to read.
January 3, 2023
This is a clever and punny book that my daughter and I adored at bedtime about a donut that has dreams in life post bakery, that certainly don't involve getting eaten. Such a delightful read with such an unexpected ending.
December 15, 2018
I love Laurie Keller. She is so clever and fun.
February 2, 2025
Read this at the Barnes with JD 10/10 no notes.
May 1, 2025
so fun!
and listening to the audiobook narrated by Michael McKean was too!
and listening to the audiobook narrated by Michael McKean was too!
September 7, 2020
Embora as ilustrações não sejam muito do meu gosto, a história é bem bonitinha! <3
August 9, 2024
this is a childhood favorite and it holds up. it's just so cute 🥺. and all the extra doodles and speech on the pages only gets better as you get older
March 5, 2016
Virginia Readers' Choice
Keller, Laurie. Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut. New York: Henry Holt & Co., 2003. Print
Arnie is a naive, little doughnut that is excited when Mr. Bing chooses him to be taken home from the bakery. As Mr. Bing tries to eat Arnie, Arnie protests and they decide that Mr. Bing will use Arnie in another way. After making a list of ideas, they decide that Arnie will be a doughnut-dog. The colorful pictures are fun and each page has funny captions and anecdotes.
Arnie the Doughnut has won some of the following awards: Amazon Editors Picks: Top 10 Books 2003, Best Children’s Books of the Year 2004, New York Times Notable Children’s Books 2003.
This book could be used when discussing “problem and solution” of a book. It would also be a good book to use when teaching “author’s purpose” or doing a “character analysis”. A teacher could use it for a writing lesson when teaching “voice”. Students could write about another food item and have it take on human qualities. Students could speak from that food item’s point of view.
Best Books :
Amazon Editors' Picks: Top 10 Books,2003
Best Children's Books of the Year,2004 Bank Street College of Education
Children's Literature Choice List,2004 Children's Literature
New York Times Notable Children's Books,2003 New York Times
Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books,2003 Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, February 17,2003 Cahners
State & Provincial Reading List :
Colorado Children's Book Award, 2008; Nominee Colorado
Great Lakes Great Books Award, 2005; Nominee Michigan
Texas Reading Club, 2005; Texas
Keller, Laurie. Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut. New York: Henry Holt & Co., 2003. Print
Arnie is a naive, little doughnut that is excited when Mr. Bing chooses him to be taken home from the bakery. As Mr. Bing tries to eat Arnie, Arnie protests and they decide that Mr. Bing will use Arnie in another way. After making a list of ideas, they decide that Arnie will be a doughnut-dog. The colorful pictures are fun and each page has funny captions and anecdotes.
Arnie the Doughnut has won some of the following awards: Amazon Editors Picks: Top 10 Books 2003, Best Children’s Books of the Year 2004, New York Times Notable Children’s Books 2003.
This book could be used when discussing “problem and solution” of a book. It would also be a good book to use when teaching “author’s purpose” or doing a “character analysis”. A teacher could use it for a writing lesson when teaching “voice”. Students could write about another food item and have it take on human qualities. Students could speak from that food item’s point of view.
Best Books :
Amazon Editors' Picks: Top 10 Books,2003
Best Children's Books of the Year,2004 Bank Street College of Education
Children's Literature Choice List,2004 Children's Literature
New York Times Notable Children's Books,2003 New York Times
Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books,2003 Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, February 17,2003 Cahners
State & Provincial Reading List :
Colorado Children's Book Award, 2008; Nominee Colorado
Great Lakes Great Books Award, 2005; Nominee Michigan
Texas Reading Club, 2005; Texas
February 1, 2011
This is the story of Arnie's life--how he was created and what happened to him once he hit the bakery shelf. Arnie is happy and carefree, until Mr. Bing buys him and tries to eat him for breakfast! Arnie is crushed; he didn't realize that was his purpose in life. Mr. Bing feels bad, and the two decide to come up with different ways for Mr. Bing to keep Arnie without eating him. Eventually, they decide that Arnie will be Mr. Bing's doughnut-dog, and everyone lives happily ever after.
This book is similar to her others, but not as clever or as well executed. The storyline feels forced, and the little side jokes aren't as prolific as her other two books. One of my favorite pages is the verso, actually. You've got teeth picketing in the background, and the chef is singing a song to Keller's editor (to the tune of Superfreak). Otherwise, this one is disappointing.
This book is similar to her others, but not as clever or as well executed. The storyline feels forced, and the little side jokes aren't as prolific as her other two books. One of my favorite pages is the verso, actually. You've got teeth picketing in the background, and the chef is singing a song to Keller's editor (to the tune of Superfreak). Otherwise, this one is disappointing.
December 3, 2016
I thought this book was fun to read! Arnie is an iced and sprinkled doughnut who cannot believe that the doughnuts in the bakery will eventually be eaten. Once Mr. Bing becomes Arnie's owner, they try to decide what Arnie could do for Mr. Bing, other than be his treat. Mr. Bing allows Arnie to be his pet doughnut! This is a great story about friendship, which can be used in the classroom to promote positive values with classmates. Additionally, the students could learn about characters and characterizations through this story. Overall, it was a great, humorous story that I hope to use in my classroom someday!
October 20, 2022
This was perfectly perfect in a lot of ways. Please donut hesitate to read this book! It was an exceptionally special read, and hilarious in its numerous weird ways. "Arnie The Doughnut" was an enjoyable book for someone that is in the elementary levels because it is amusing and quite to one's liking. I really appreciate the creativeness that went into this beautiful book.
November 29, 2019
Per my second graders: I think it was kinda funny because his face was hilarious! I did not like it because Arnie didn't have anything to do with Mr. Bean. It was hilarious because he was singing a song.
July 8, 2008
We love this picture book about a donut that is horrified when faced with the prospect of being eaten!
December 9, 2017
Honestly, one of the worst children’s book I have ever had to read aloud. This plot was ... deplorable. That means, very bad; wretched; cause for grief.
Goodness, HOW do some books get published?
Goodness, HOW do some books get published?
February 1, 2024
I love this book and it is on story line online so if you don't have the book you don't have to buy it you can just listen to it on story line online.
June 30, 2021
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! It’s JJ’s birthday today, and we’re celebrating with a delightfully silly favorite from our library, Arnie The Doughnut by Laurie Keller.
As far back as he can remember – which is 5:15 am this morning, when the doughnut baker made him – Arnie has been excited to be purchased from his spot on the doughnut tray and taken to his new home. So when the doughnut-loving Mr. Bing purchases the enthusiastic Arnie from the shop, the chocolate-iced-rainbow-sprinkled confection spends his paper bag-ride home filled with excitement – that is, until he realizes that Mr. Bing intends to (gasp!) EAT HIM! In fact, he is shocked to find that this is the ultimate fate, nay, purpose of all donuts! Feeling crushed, Arnie resigns himself to his fate, but Mr. Bing has other plans for his new, unusual friend.
Silly, joyful fun. Arnie’s adventure is a romp through several comedic set-ups, from how donuts are made to a brainstorming session on jobs a donut could have OTHER than food, leading readers on a ridiculous ride sure to inspire giggles. Adding to the humor are the controlled chaos of the illustrations, featuring a wild cast of characters – culinary and otherwise – who offer small text asides of jokes, factoids, and visual gags. The length is perfect for a storytime, but these visual Easter eggs make a longer perusal well worth the effort. JJ loves this one, especially the theatrical tone of the dialogue that makes reading aloud a ton of fun. A funny foodie tale with a unexpectedly sweet ending, and we recommend it. Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews