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Picture Books to Help You Celebrate National Donut Day

Colorful picture books featuring delectable donuts.

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Ashlie Swicker

Contributor

Ashlie (she/her) is an educator, librarian, and writer. She is committed to diversifying the reading lives of her students and supporting fat acceptance as it intersects with other women’s issues. She's also perpetually striving to learn more about how she can use her many privileges to support marginalized groups. Interests include learning how to roller skate with her local roller derby team, buying more books than she'll ever read, hiking with her husband and sons, and making lists to avoid real work. You can find her on Instagram (@ashlieelizabeth), Twitter (@mygirlsimple) or at her website, www.ashlieswicker.com.

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June 3rd is National Donut Day, and I plan to celebrate in every way possible. Trips to the donut shop? On it. Buying a large inflatable donut raft I’ve had my eye on? Check. Picking a rainbow-frosted dozen and getting cozy for a donut reading party? Sounds like a plan. I’ve rounded up some picture books that feature everyone’s favorite sweet treat. All you need to do is find a sunny spot, grab a few napkins, and away we go.

 

If You Give A Dog A Donut Laura NumeroffIf You Give A Dog A Donut by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond

Numeroff and Bond are back with another adventure of charming proportions. If you give a kid a book about donuts, chances are, they are going to ask for the real thing. The sprinkled donuts in these illustrations are guaranteed to spark your appetite.

 

The Donut Chef Bob Staake

The Donut Chef by Bob Staake

The end pages alone will make your mouth water. Follow the donut chef as he takes us through the task of creating donuts from scratch! The retro-esque illustrations add quirky charm to an already yummy story. Where is the real Donut Land?

 

 

Arnie the Doughnut Laurie Keller

Arnie, the Doughnut by Laurie Keller

I’m a huge fan of The Scrambled States of America, so I was excited to see this adventure story from Keller. Arnie, the Doughnut exudes enthusiasm from the moment we meet him in his downtown bakery. There is so much to explore in the busy illustrations, you might forget to keep chewing.

 

The Case of the Missing Donut Alison GheeThe Case of the Missing Donut by Alison McGhee and Isabel Roxas

I completely empathize with this main character who cannot, for the life of him, resist the siren song of that one definitely smushed donut. No one will ever notice! I especially loved the way Roxas creates illustrations that draw the audience into the joke. We’ve all been the kid with powdered sugar on our faces. Why fight it?

 

Please Mr Panda Steve Antony

Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony

This little number pairs a manners lesson with tantalizing, brightly-colored donuts. I will say any number of magic words to get my hands on one of those delicious desserts. Please, may I have the purple one with sprinkles?

 

Any delicious donut books I may have overlooked? Please share them with me! I’m already making plans for donut reading party, round two…