THE DONUT CHEF
by Bob Staake & illustrated by Bob Staake
The wild popularity of a new donut shop brings on the kind of competition that no donut-lover wants, the kind where traditional glazed and sugar donuts give way to such imposters as Gooey Cocoa-Mocha Silk and Cherry-Frosted Lemon Bar. Donutland, filled with familiar round donuts and an equally round chef, has lines of hungry people out the door. A pencil-thin competitor gets wind of the success and throws down the yeasty gauntlet: “Your shop is through… / When my store opens next to you!” When the donut war escalates beyond absurdity, it takes a wise girl to remind the grown-ups that sometimes simple is best. Told in rhyme, the story meshes nicely with Staake’s familiar, multicolored people and geometric style. High-energy illustrations invite young listeners to explore the busy street scenes for details. When the round chef, toting a single glazed donut, leads the sweet parade off the last page, all will know that sanity has returned. Pour a tall glass of milk for this yummy treat. (Picture book. 2-5)