The Donut Chef (A Golden Classic) [Hardcover]

Bob Staake (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 2008 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: A Golden Classic

IN THIS DELICIOUS tale, a baker hangs out his shingle on a small street, and soon, the line for his doughnuts stretches down the block. But it’s not long before the competition arrives and a battle of the bakers ensues. In the competitive frenzy, both bakers’ doughnuts become “quite bizarre, like Cherry-Frosted Lemon Bar, and Peanut-Brickle Buttermilk, or Gooey Coca- Mocha Silk!” Some are not even very tasty: “Donuts made with huckleberry (don’t be scared, they’re kind of hairy).” One day, Debbie Sue, just barely two, enters the bakery, and searches in vain for her favorite doughnut, where “the choice of donuts left her dazed. Said Debbie Sue, “But I want . . . glazed.” A fun lesson in keeping it simple in which our hero chef decides to go back to the basics, and wins over the whole town.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3—This cautionary tale tells of a baker who almost loses track of his true calling while trying to outwit and outdo a competitor. The donut chef is proud of his newly opened store, and his success becomes so great that another man decides to open his own establishment, vowing, "Your shop is through.../When my store opens next to you!" The feud soon becomes fierce, with each owner creating confections in bizarre flavors like "Peanut-Brickle Buttermilk,/And Gooey Cocoa-Mocha Silk," and in even stranger shapes. But sometimes competition can destroy, too, as the sweets soon lose "their taste. They'd lost their soul./They'd even lost their donut hole!" It takes little Debbie Sue and her request for a simple glazed donut to bring the chef to his senses. Soon other customers are clamoring for the same thing, and, now enlightened, the baker goes back to basics. The entire book has a retro tone, from its lengthy rhyming text to its Art Deco-style illustrations, which are updated with more modern-looking graphic shapes and a multicolored palette. The pictures are slightly reminiscent of Dan Yaccarino's work, but with much sharper, more clearly defined lines. Aside from a jarring mistake when a shop "selling round the clock" becomes one whose doors close "at six," the story's lively rhythmic text and colorful artwork should make it a good pick for storytime.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY
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Review

Review, Cookie Magazine, September 2008:
"The pro-simplicity parable is told via a funny, funky art style."

Review, The Wall Street Journal, September 20-21, 2008:
"Some books are meant to be tasted. . . and The Donut Chef appears to be one of them. Mr Staake's work is . . . visually delicious."

Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, October 27, 2008:
"Everywhere readers look, there are delectable surprises."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Golden Books (September 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375844031
• ISBN-13: 978-0375844034
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 0.4 x 10.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #183,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Kids @ Teens Read Too, September 25, 2008

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Donut Chef (A Golden Classic) (Hardcover)

Follow the story of the donut chef, as he selects the perfect corner to create his store and builds up his clientele -- until that dastardly competition moves in next door and chaos ensues.

I usually avoid picture books in rhyme, as it's rare to find one that's done well. I can honestly say that this one works.

The text is strong and fun and the story itself engaging. The illustrations, with their geometric shapes, monochromatic colors, and varying textures, are sure to keep the attention of kids.

A perfect bedtime story with lots of re-reading potential!

Reviewed by: Julie M. Prince

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine story of competition and unique fare, November 16, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Donut Chef (A Golden Classic) (Hardcover)

A rollicking rhyme enlivens the beat of THE DONUT CHEF, telling of a baker who opens a business on a small street and watches the lines form for his famous donuts - until the competition arrives and a 'battle of the bakers' erupts. In an effort to out-do each other the donuts become stranger and stranger - but two-year-old Debbie doesn't want anything memorable, all she wants is a plain glazed donut. Can her needs change a baker's path? A fine story of competition and unique fare evolves.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Sticky Fun!, March 24, 2009

By 

C. Ross (Mokena, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Donut Chef (A Golden Classic) (Hardcover)

I checked this book out of the library for my 3-year old daughter. She instantly took to it so I bought a copy for her to have. The story reads very easily and the colorful and imaginative donut illustrations captured her attention. And I love the moral of the story . . . that simple is often times better. A great, highly recommended book for preschoolers!