The Donut Chef

A rotund chef stars in this mouth-watering picture book, which begins with:

"Once upon a summer's day

A donut chef was heard to say:

'On this street where people stop,

I'll open up my donut shop!"

The story continues, in catchy rhyme and eye-catching illustrations, to tell about the chef's cozy store. After it opens, it's the hottest craze . . .until another donut chef opens shop right next door. Horrors!

Competition is fierce, with each chef trying to out-donut the other. They have free giveaways, new shapes, and innovative flavors (some are so innovative they sound downright inedible). The battle for hungry customers escalates, until a little girl named Debbie Sue enters the picture. All she wants is a plain glazed doughnut . . .and our chef learns a lesson about the value of simplicity.

I defy anyone to take a peek at this book, with its bouncy rhymes and irresistibly retro illustrations, and not sit down and devour the whole thing. Kids and those who read to them will be charmed with this delightful twist on "The Emperor's New Clothes."