Donuts

by Julia Dweck

Donuts is a fairy tale with a modern day appeal. Meet Merl, a plucky, young squirrel who makes his home in a vast wilderness where all the trees have been cut to the ground. When Merl finds the very last acorn, he makes an extraordinary wish, resulting in one final oak tree sprouting. However, Merl’s wish is far from granted when the tree’s sprawling branches fail to bloom one single nut. A visit to a park turns Merl’s world upside down and his tree will never be the same. This is a majestic and poignant tale that exemplifies the beauty of loyalty in the friendship that grows between a squirrel and his tree. Donuts will touch the hearts of readers and make the most ardent cynic, smile. Stunning illustrations and melodic rhyming text make this enchanting adventure a memorable read.

Genres: Childrens, Ebooks, Picture Books

22 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 20, 2012

About the author

Julia writes children’s stories for digital and traditional publication. Her stories span the spectrum of humor, fantasy, and edutainment in rhyme and in prose. Julia’s background in elementary education affords her the opportunity to be in touch with what children want to read about and what makes them giggle. Julia collaborates with some of the leading artists in the world of children’s literature. Julia is also a designer of educational adjuncts for children’s literature, and has worked with such notable publishing houses as Penguin Young Readers.

Reviews

[Julie Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Donuts free audio book an illustrated story about a squirrel, his wish and a loyal friendship
This colorful children's story starts out Merl the squirrel and he's the last one. He wishes for a nut to grow on the oak tree....
He is so hungry just eating leaves and grass and he meets a man sitting on the bench with a donut. Before he knew it the crumbs made a donut tree and everybody came to see it.
The acorns flew one day and spelled out a special word!
Some words are difficult to see because the background color is too near the color of the font. Also not able to click to magnify the pages.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice bedtime story

My 8 year old daughter got a kick out of this as a bedtime story. Sweet rhyming book about friendship.

[Grampy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Donuts" by Julia Dweck, and illustrated by Adam Duff, is an absurdly cute and colorful story about a bunch of squirrels who are forced to relocate after somebody cut down all their trees. However, there was one little squirrel, by the name of Merl, who stayed behind. Merl the squirrel searched for acorns every day, until one day he found one, lying in the grass. Instead of eating it, or storing it for winter, he used it to make a wish. He closed his eyes, held the acorn tight, and wished for a tree. When he opened his eyes, lo and behold! There was an oak tree! It was a tall, healthy looking oak tree, but didn't have a nut to its name. Still, it was Merl's tree, so he watered it and shined its leaves, and spent a lot of time just swinging on its branches, or running from limb to limb. But Merl still needed something to eat, so he went to a local park where humans sometimes fed the squirrels. He saw a man on a bench, with a paper bag in his lap, so he ran over to the man, hoping for a few crumbs. But the man didn't have any nuts, just a donut, which he gave Merl.

This tale continues through a few seasonal changes, and crowds of onlookers. The story really has no purpose other than to entertain children, and the artful illustrations certainly help in that regard. It is a cute story, and ideally suited for preschool aged children. I recommend this for kids up to perhaps first or second grade, at which time they should be reading it to themselves. They will appreciate the tale for its accompanying illustrations, which virtually tell the story themselves.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fun and clever rhyme continue in the delicious tale, Donuts by Julia Dweck. Donuts is an inspirational story about a sweet and determined squirrel named Merl and his BIG wish.

Merl lived in a forest all alone after his friends "scurried on out of this far end of town, 'cause all of their trees had been cut to the ground." Merl looked high and low until one day he discovered one tiny acorn. He "wished for a tree and he held his eyes shut, as he made this big wish on a very small nut." Now, as a lot of wishes do, Merl's came true and a large tree grew. Merl was disappointed, though, when he discovered the tree didn't produce any nuts. However, he still cared for and loved the tree all the same. One day a man gave, a very hungry, Merl a donut. Merl scurried to his tree to enjoy his sweet treat and that's when the most magical thing of all happened.

Donuts is scrumptiously illustrated by Adam Duff who uses his creativity and talents to bring life to Merl's enchanting adventure.

Join Merl on his quest to restore his home and discover how his really big wish leads to an even bigger lesson in friendship.

I recommend picking up a copy of Donuts.

[Davis Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meryl stays behind when all the other squirrels leave after all the trees are cut down to the ground. He happens to come across the last acorn, makes a wish, and then stashes the nut away for later. To his surprise, a tree grows. Unfortunately, he doesn't produce any nuts, even though he loves and cares for the tree. While out hunting for food, a man gives him a donut. He gladly takes it back to his tree and too his surprise the tree starts to produce lemon donuts. Of course a tree like that would get much attention, attention that the little squirrel did not want. Without giving more away, I will let you read to see how he got the crowds to go away.

The book has great illustrations, and of course a great rhyming scheme and hidden lesson. For some reason, my 5 year old son didn't get as involved with this book as much as he usually does with books by this author. Maybe it was a little much for him to take in, not sure, but will give it a try again a little later. He did like the idea of having a donut tree, which I would agree would be a great tree to own.

Originally posted on The Mystical World of Book Reviews

[Athena Nagel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another very cute book by Julia Dweck. Julia works with some great illustrators and the combination is inevitably a great book - as is the case with Donuts. Donuts is a story of loyalty and friendship. Merl is hungry and needs something to eat badly. After being given a donut, the story moves quickly. Merl liked the donut but not everything that came with the donut. He uses his own conscience and doesn't just follow the crowd. He stands up for what he believes in. Another 5 star book by Julia Dweck and of course all of her phenomenal illustrators.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[LeighAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donuts was an adorable book! Merl the squirrel was all alone and there were no trees left as they had all been cut down. One day, Merl wishes on an acorn that a tree would grow and his wish came true. Even though the tree didn't produce any nuts, Merl loved and cared for the tree. A man at the park gave the hungry squirrel a donut and that is when the most magical thing happened.

This is a story about love, friendship, and loyalty. It also reminds us that wishes really do come true and that we should always believe in our dreams. The illustrations in this book are phenomenal. Another great book by Julia Dweck! I highly recommend this author, I have really enjoyed her so far.

[Jenny Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

10*s. I purchased a ecopy of this book from Amazon.com when it was free and I am ready to give my honest opinion.

This was the most adorable and heartfelt story and I fell in love with it. I loved the rhyming and the illustrations where just amazingly bright and very colorful!! This is a cute story that will put smiles on children's faces and make a great bedtime story that even the parents will enjoy and remember for a lifetime!! Thank you, Julia Dweck, for this amazingly adorable and fun story!!!

[Summer Hedrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given to us from Julia Dweck for a review.

This is a great story about a little squirrel named Merl who loves and cares for a tree that doesn't produce any nuts. Until one day he is given a donut by a man and when the crumbs fall on the branches, it produces DONUTS! My daughter was in awe at the pretty colors of the tree during the different season and types of donuts is produced. At the end, Merl finally gets what he wants. Another great book with awesome rhyming and illistrations!

[Nickcole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I HIGHLY recommend any of Julia Dweck's books if you have children. This has to be one of my favorites because of message behind the story and the fun illustrations. My only negative, is that their wasn't enough colorful donuts in the book. lol =) I really love the way Ms. Dweck writes and my daughter always has fun trying to figure her way around her tongue twisters.

[Kathy Adamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this on a fluke because I LOVE DONUTS but it surprised me and brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes. It's about friendship and loyalty and we can all take a lesson from Merl. The beautiful illustrations were a bonus and fit he characters perfectly. I recommend this book for everyone.

[Wanda Hartzenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved thisbook! Maybe because we all have donut holes and if your lucky you have been able to find a friend even a nutty one to fill that hole.
Highly recommend this for children of all ages.
WaAr

[Carolina Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated. Lovely story.

my kids love.squirrels so.initially I purchased for.that reason. they like the book and I don't mind reading it over and over. there is an audio book available with purchase

[Gina Hott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is cute book, of that there is no doubt but it’s missing something special for me to tout. I’m not sure what it lacks I just know, while it’s good it’s just not the smack!

[george r grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riana loved this book

great bed time story my grand daughter loved it.we will search for more books by this author I hope you enjoy it too