Arnie, the Doughnut (The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut, 1)

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 “Arnie takes destiny into his own hands with vastly entertaining results.” ― Publishers Weekly, starred “Laurie Keller is a goofball. She's a genius. She's a goofball and a genius.” ― New York Times Book Review “Keller gives 'pet food' a new meaning in this savory outing. . . . so deliciously silly is this confection, that few readers will pass up second helpings.” ― Kirkus Reviews “[G]ood for a belly laugh.” ― Newsday “Arnie is one of the cleverest and funniest books I've seen in a long time.” ― BookPage “[P]acked with fun and sprinkled with so many illustrative and humorous asides.” ― Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN “In picture books, usually only dogs are as funny as this. Keller doesn't miss a trick.” ― San Diego Union Tribune “Keller's riotous collages. . . .which are filled with gleeful puns, winning characters, and over-the-top silliness, are as manic and fun as a sugar high.” ― Booklist “Off-the-wall humor and zany artwork” ― Seattle Post Intelligencer Laurie Keller is the bestselling author-illustrator of many books for kids, including Do Unto Otters; Potato Pants!; The Scrambled States of America ; the Geisel Award-winning We Are Growing!; and Arnie the Doughnut, as well as three books in the Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut chapter book series. Growing up in Michigan, Laurie always loved to draw, paint and write stories. She earned a B.F.A. at Kendall College of Art and Design, then worked at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City as a greeting card illustrator for seven years. One night, the idea for a children’s book popped into her head and after showing the story to several publishers in New York City, she quit her job and moved there. The following year, that story idea was a published book― The Scrambled States of America . Laurie loved living in NYC, but she returned to her home state, where she lives in the woods along the shores of Lake Michigan. Read more