The Donut Chef
by Bob Staake
Bob Staake’s unique, colorful illustrations bring humor and whimsy to this rhyming tale of competing doughnut shops. Watch as the doughnuts get more and more elaborate as the chefs try to outdo each other, until one small customer asks for plain old glazed.
Discussion starters:
- When do you like to try new foods or experiences? When do you prefer things you already know and love?
- Have you ever felt like you have to compete with someone? Did it push you to both do your best, or prevent you from using your unique gift?
- What crazy doughnut flavor or shape would you like to invent?
- Bible verse: Proverbs 16:24
The Hole Story of the Doughnut
by Pat Miller; illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch
This delightful nonfiction look at the origin of the doughnut with a hole in the middle tells the tale of ship captain Hanson Gregory. While working as a young assistant for the ship’s cook in 1847, he decided to cut holes in the heavy balls of fried dough known as “sinkers” to make them cook all the way through. Sailors (and later, land-lubbers) began to gobble up this new invention. The book includes a few embellished version of the tale, as well as a nonfiction note and timeline in the back.
Discussion starters:
- Even heat distribution is important for all kinds of cooking. How can you tell when a cupcake is done cooking the middle? Have you ever had something not cook through properly? Did you have a solution?
- The author’s note tells of someone else who claimed to have invented the doughnut hole, but later admitted it was a publicity stunt. Why should we be honest about our accomplishments?
- Bible verses on honesty: Deuteronomy 25:15; Proverbs 16:13; Proverbs 34:13
The Case of the Missing Donut
by Alison McGhee; illustrated by Isabel Roxas
This adorable picture book follows a young “sheriff” and his “deputy” dog tasked with the important job of bringing a dozen doughnuts safely home. On the way, one doughnut covered in powdered sugar “mysteriously” goes missing. The sheriff is mystified how everyone seems to know he has recently enjoyed a doughnut. Once confronted by this parents, he looks in the mirror and discovers the big clue.
Discussion starters:
- Why is honesty the best policy? Does trying to hide something we’ve done really work?
- Have you ever been given responsibility for an important job? How did you do?
- Bible verses: Psalm 15:2; Proverbs 12:19; Zechariah 8:16
Dozens of Doughnuts
by Carrie Finison; illustrated by Brianne Farley
With playful, colorful illustrations, this rhyming story tells of a bear who needs to fatten up and get ready for winter. But when she makes herself a dozen doughnuts, the doorbell keeps ringing! One by one, more friends keep coming to share. (Fans of this story might also enjoy “The Doorbell Rang” by Pat Hutchins.) Be sure to look through the kitchen window for a clue to the next arrival! Finally, the bear gets hangry, and her friends remember they need to take care of her too.
Discussion starters:
- Which of the 24 doughnuts pictured on the front endpapers would you choose to eat?
- This book repeats the start of a rhyme: “One dozen doughnuts, hot from the pan…. and all for__” (The bear’s name is LouAnn.) How does another name being inserted instead of the name we expect from the rhyme add to the surprise in the story?
- How can we use our talents (such as cooking) to share with and care for others?
- How do we balance caring for others with taking care of ourselves?
- Bible verses: Romans 12:3; John 13:1-17
The Great Doughnut Parade
by Rebecca Bond
This rollicking rhyme starts of simple–with a boy who has a doughnut strung to his belt. But a hungry cat decides to follow and, as the title implies, soon a whole parade has formed.
(Readers who enjoy this cause and effect driven story might also like “Because a Little Bug Went Ka-Choo!” by Rosetta stone (AKA Dr. Seuss) and Michael Frith.)
Discussion starters:
- Look at how much white space (empty room) there is on the first pages of the story. How do the pages gradually filling up to overflowing help tell the story?
- How can a small choice (either good or bad) lead to more and more things happening?
- Bible verses: Matthew 10:42; Matthew 17:20
Curious George: The Donut Delivery
Zeros look remarkably like doughnuts. And if you’re a curious monkey just learning about place value and how to write zero, adding a few extra “doughnuts” to an order for “1 dozen” won’t matter, right? Soon George has ordered 100 dozen doughnuts. Fortunately, the man in the yellow hat thinks that at least George has learned something… and the local firefighters get a lot of thanks… in doughnuts!
Discussion starters:
- How many doughnuts is 100 dozen?
- Curious monkeys are entertaining, but not the best with food safety. Would anyone really want doughnuts that have been stacked on the floor? Behind chairs? In a closet? How can we keep our food clean and safe?
- Showing thanks to firefighters and others who serve our communities is a great idea. How can you show your appreciation?
- Bible verses: Luke 3:11; Ephesians 4:28
If You Give a Dog a Donut
by Laura Numeroff; illustrated by Felicia Bond
If you’ve ever given a mouse a cookie, a moose a muffin, a cat a cupcake, or a pig a pancake, you know exactly what’s coming in this book. (Side note: my favorite edition for this series is “Mouse Cookies and More: A Treasury,” since it includes four complete stories and an audio CD with the story read by Carol Kane, AKA Valerie in “The Princess Bride” movie.)
Discussion starters:
- This type of story provides a great structure for kids to create their own version. What animal or character would you give something to? What would happen next? And next?
- Have you ever had a doughnut and apple juice together? (I live near an apple farm that makes apple cider doughnuts!) What do you think goes best with doughnuts?
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