Kirkus Reviews

Keller (Toys! , 2000, etc.) gives "pet food" a new meaning in this savory outing. Proud of his sprinkles and chocolate icing, Arnie the doughnut takes his place at the bakery counter, and watches his tray mates depart with customers until it's finally his turn. His excitement at being taken out into the wide world in a paper bag changes to horror when he discovers that he's about to be eaten; fortunately, he is spared that fate, as the gent who bought him suddenly has no appetite for a talking doughnut. But if Arnie's not to be breakfast, then what? After rejecting several career alternatives (" You'd make a fine paperweight.' BORING.' How about an air freshener for my car?' How about not?' "), Arnie settles at last on becoming a doughnut-dog, and rolls on to a happily-ever-after as Man's Best Friend. Strewn with text lines, onlooking pastries, snappy side comments, unusual road signs, and other details, the frenetic postmodern illustrations may require more than one run-through to absorb—but so deliciously silly is this confection, that few readers will pass up second helpings. A tasty chaser for Toby Speed's Brave Potatoes (2000) or any version of the Gingerbread Man. (Picture book. 6-8)

School Library Journal

K-Gr 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.

ALA Booklist

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.

Horn Book

Narrowly escaping the jaws of habitual doughnut eater Mr. Bing, Arnie is shocked to learn that a doughnut's fate in life is to be eaten. After sparing him, Mr. Bing realizes that Arnie could fill a void in his life, and Arnie becomes a sticky but obedient "doughnut-dog." Happily busy acrylic and collage art sprinkled with humorous, punning asides complements this silly, satisfying story.

Starred Review for Publishers Weekly (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Arnie, a chocolate-frosted with sprinkles, "knew that people all over town made special trips... to buy doughnuts of their very own." He reminisces fondly on the frying and cooling process that brought him into the world, and casually flirts with the apple fritter on the tray beside him. His naïve excitement suggests he does not realize his fate, confirmed by his comments after his purchase by Mr. Bing (" 'Why does he keep me in this bag?' Arnie wondered"). When Mr. Bing tries to eat his breakfast, the title character reacts in disbelief. Arnie, after a near escape, borrows a phone to "warn the others," and learns that his fellow doughnuts sacrifice themselves freely: "Yes, we know! We're <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">delicious!" they shout. Failing to foment rebellion, Arnie, along with Mr. Bing, must decide what a doughnut is good for, other than eating (" 'I need a new bowling ball.' 'Well, don't look at me!' " Arnie retorts). As in her <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">The Scrambled States of America, Keller packs the spreads with comical stage business and extemporaneous asides. Roly-poly doughnut holes make fun of a jelly-filled ("Eeeooo! His brains are oozing out!"), a bear claw growls, and a beret-wearing cruller teaches Arnie to speak French. The hero himself, with spindly arms and legs and a hole where his nose would be, clowns around in the margins. Like Chris Raschka's <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Arlene the Sardine, this witty book calls attention to the foods people take for granted; unlike vacuum-packed Arlene, Arnie takes destiny into his own hands, with vastly entertaining results. Ages 4-8. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Apr.)