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The End
A new picture book from the hilarious author of the bestselling Dear Dumb Diary series!
When Donut the bear is told his story is over and he has to leave, he donut want to do it. After all, he hasn't had a chance to have any fun! Will Donut's sneaky schemes and elaborate disguises be enough to keep his story from ending?
Donut's silly antics in this clever picture book from New York Times bestselling author Jim Benton are sure to delight kids who never want their favorite stories to reach The End.
When Donut the bear is told his story is over and he has to leave, he donut want to do it. After all, he hasn't had a chance to have any fun! Will Donut's sneaky schemes and elaborate disguises be enough to keep his story from ending?
Donut's silly antics in this clever picture book from New York Times bestselling author Jim Benton are sure to delight kids who never want their favorite stories to reach The End.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Jim Benton
292 books612 followersBenton began his career in a custom design t-shirt shop where he started designing his own characters. At the same time, Jim did illustrations and artwork for magazines and newspapers. People magazine named him "the most visible cartoonist in America" .
Benton also created greeting cards and worked in the magazine and publishing industry. In 1998, his SpyDogs characters became an animated series, The Secret Files of the Spy Dogs, that aired on Fox Kids. Licensing his own creations brought them widespread attention on products, such as It's Happy Bunny, The Misters, Just Jimmy and more.
Benton currently lives in Michigan, where he operates out of his own studio.
Benton also created greeting cards and worked in the magazine and publishing industry. In 1998, his SpyDogs characters became an animated series, The Secret Files of the Spy Dogs, that aired on Fox Kids. Licensing his own creations brought them widespread attention on products, such as It's Happy Bunny, The Misters, Just Jimmy and more.
Benton currently lives in Michigan, where he operates out of his own studio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
July 26, 2019
Donut the bear wants his story to continue, but the narrator says "The End" after two pages. Donut tries a disguise and a sign that says you can't see him to try to make the story move forward. After so much effort by Donut, the narrator relents and starts a new story, only to discover they are out of pages. It really is "The End."
Drawn on bright colored pages, the illustrations of Donut's actions are adorable. Through the interaction with Donut, the narrator becomes a character too. This would be a good example of fiction elements -- beginning, middle, ending, conflict, and characterization -- to teach children how to write their own stories. Donut's antics will delight prekindergarten and up.
Drawn on bright colored pages, the illustrations of Donut's actions are adorable. Through the interaction with Donut, the narrator becomes a character too. This would be a good example of fiction elements -- beginning, middle, ending, conflict, and characterization -- to teach children how to write their own stories. Donut's antics will delight prekindergarten and up.
August 5, 2014
I've lost track of how many times I've read this story to the little girl I babysit. She asks for The Donut Book. That's what you get when the book practically invites you to read it again! What makes it so engaging is the interplay between the narrator and little Donut. This is one worth purchasing, because you'll get your money's worth in no time!
March 30, 2017
Donut the blue bear does not want the story to end...what will he do to keep the story going? Funny story with wonderful art.
February 11, 2014
To say that Jim Benton’s new picture book The End (Almost) strikes the right chords with readers would be an understatement. After reading it with about thirty classes from kindergarten through fifth grade, it shreds like Free Bird’s guitar solo. Donut burps and excuses himself at which point the narrator tells us that’s the end of the story. The rest of the book chronicles Donut’s attempts to squeeze out a little more story. He cajoles, comes back in disguise, even tries the old Costansa leave-behind. Finally the narrator relents, dropping an intriguing plot involving a robot, a talking ice cream cone, and a trip to the castle of rainbow candy unicorns, only to discover that this time, we really are out of pages. While the text is sparse, the right reader can easily give the clever language some extra poignancy.
Kids adore metafictive books. Some weave the story and the telling of it so tightly that the device creates an additional level of complexity (The Three Pigs, Chloe and the Lion). The End (Almost) takes a simpler, more playful approach. The straight forward argument between Donut and the Narrator makes for a great vehicle to discuss the elements of story. Students in the primary grades tend to discuss character, events, and problem/solution in very traditional texts. While The End (Almost) may be simple for metafictive, it can certainly be a springboard to a much deeper appreciation of these elements. The story our narrator tells has a beginning, middle, and end that is all one event: the burp. The conflict, Donut wants more story transforms the narrator into a character. And the solution (the beginning of an additional story for Donut) ends as another metafictive problem directly opposite of the original.
At the surface, The End (Almost) is a total kid pleaser, one they’ll beg you to read again. But it doesn’t only have to succeed for kids. For teachers wanting to engage their students in a lively discussion about the elements of fiction, Benton gives you a book that becomes funnier the deeper you apply them. Kids from K-3 will be jumping out of their seats to contribute their analysis. while it can offer a great review for students in the upper elementary grades, along with a good chuckle.
http://mrlewis5.blogspot.com/2014/02/...
Kids adore metafictive books. Some weave the story and the telling of it so tightly that the device creates an additional level of complexity (The Three Pigs, Chloe and the Lion). The End (Almost) takes a simpler, more playful approach. The straight forward argument between Donut and the Narrator makes for a great vehicle to discuss the elements of story. Students in the primary grades tend to discuss character, events, and problem/solution in very traditional texts. While The End (Almost) may be simple for metafictive, it can certainly be a springboard to a much deeper appreciation of these elements. The story our narrator tells has a beginning, middle, and end that is all one event: the burp. The conflict, Donut wants more story transforms the narrator into a character. And the solution (the beginning of an additional story for Donut) ends as another metafictive problem directly opposite of the original.
At the surface, The End (Almost) is a total kid pleaser, one they’ll beg you to read again. But it doesn’t only have to succeed for kids. For teachers wanting to engage their students in a lively discussion about the elements of fiction, Benton gives you a book that becomes funnier the deeper you apply them. Kids from K-3 will be jumping out of their seats to contribute their analysis. while it can offer a great review for students in the upper elementary grades, along with a good chuckle.
http://mrlewis5.blogspot.com/2014/02/...
May 28, 2014
“There once was a bear named Donut.” (Class breaks into uncontrollable laughter and did not stop until the end of the book- I mean who would name a bear Donut?)
Donut, the bear, is desperate for his story to be a great but the author is convinced that two pages are all he needs. The children reading The End (Almost) are as convinced as Donut is that his story is not over. They are delighted as Donut shows up in disguise and brings along his friends in an attempt to prolong the story.
I used this story with a class of five and six years olds and they loved every page and then argued about who got to take it home first. I can see that everyone from our preschool group to our intermediate classes will love this story.
Donut, the bear, is desperate for his story to be a great but the author is convinced that two pages are all he needs. The children reading The End (Almost) are as convinced as Donut is that his story is not over. They are delighted as Donut shows up in disguise and brings along his friends in an attempt to prolong the story.
I used this story with a class of five and six years olds and they loved every page and then argued about who got to take it home first. I can see that everyone from our preschool group to our intermediate classes will love this story.
February 1, 2014
Donut, a silly bear, would get along well with Elephant and Piggie. I think it would make a good read-aloud.
Whenever possible, please support independent bookshops. http://www.indiebound.org/book/978054...
Whenever possible, please support independent bookshops. http://www.indiebound.org/book/978054...
October 6, 2014
This is one of the funniest books I have ever read. It starts out with Donut (a strangely drawn bear) who is the star of the story. He burps and that is the end. Or is it?
The author has created the never-ending book...... He even directs the reader to "read it again" This is a laugh out loud funny story with a bear who doesn't like his ending, so he stretches out the story, much like a small child who isn't quite ready to go to bed.
The pictures are very bright and colorful. Bright yellow is the background color. There are few words per page and Donut's words are highlighted in a speech bubble. I highly recommend this book!
The author has created the never-ending book...... He even directs the reader to "read it again" This is a laugh out loud funny story with a bear who doesn't like his ending, so he stretches out the story, much like a small child who isn't quite ready to go to bed.
The pictures are very bright and colorful. Bright yellow is the background color. There are few words per page and Donut's words are highlighted in a speech bubble. I highly recommend this book!
March 2, 2014
Like many readers, Donut just can't bear when the story comes to an end. Because his story turns out to be short, he begs for more and tries to sneak back into the story until the author finally gives in and includes an addendum to the original story. Still, all good things must eventually come to an end, even a picture book such as this one. The Adobe Photoshop illustrations are simple and have clean lines, allowing Donut to be the center of attention even when he is no longer on the page. This makes a great read aloud since it captures a universal experience in humorous fashion.
March 28, 2014
I can almost hear the laughter of the storytime kids already! Donut the bear does not want his story to end. He tries every trick to keep the pages moving and charms readers in the meantime. The illustrations are relatively simple and there is a lot of white space, but there's so much opportunity for interaction and silliness it just doesn't matter. A great read aloud or shared one-on-one, this will for sure begged to be read over and over again!
March 11, 2014
A very simple book, but SO loved by my storytime group. 1) They thought a bear named Donut was just the greatest thing, 2) when Donut dressed up I spoke in a really low voice so as pretending to be someone else and not only did they love that, the parents did as well! I am hoping my older groups find this just as enjoyable.
July 1, 2014
At first a simple story that comes to an abrupt and obvious conclusion. But, like the Avatar in the third Ultima trilogy, the protagonist Donut ends up battling against the harsh whims of a disembodied voice.
October 7, 2014
Donut the Bear is the star of a very short story and when the story is over he finds all sorts of ingenious ways to come back. The yellow background is perfect keeping the focus on Donut and his silly attempts to continue the story. Would be a great springboard for students to write their own stories starring Donut.
April 12, 2014
Kids will love this little bear who sneaks and peaks his way through the pages. A simple but hilarious story of a bear that just doesn’t want this book to come to an end. With colorful illustrations this will appeal to ages three to five who will want to read it again and again.
July 26, 2015
Way cute book about a bear named Donut, who gets into a disagreement with the author of the book. Donut doesn't think that just 2 pages is enough space to tell his story, and tries his hardest to prolong the book. My 4-year-old loved it.
February 21, 2014
If you like "We Are In Book" I believe you'll like this book. Its going to put a a smile on your face it's a really cute book
September 8, 2014
I adore Donut & his antics. I want one for my very own!
March 6, 2014
This book made me smile.
March 18, 2014
hilarious. bright pictures, big book.
April 3, 2014
Perfect storytime book! Kids will definitely laugh out loud at this one!
January 27, 2016
What was meant as a short story about a burp instead is stretched to full length by donut's inability to accept the end. The ice cream cone helped too.
August 20, 2014
Silly book. Not sure how I'd read some of that in storytime. I think I could. But I'd have to practice different voices. I'll keep it on the list to consider.
8/20/14 Used in my hodgepodge preschool theme and it was great! Smaller crowd, my regulars, and a bit older than 3 and 4. So they followed this perfectly. I made a different voice for when Donut was in disguise and for the ice cream cone. But other than that, it flowed perfectly and the kids were not confused by my same narrator voice and Donut voice. (Possibly because I do so many E&P books that they've gotten used to the difference between text and speech bubbles. Woohoo! I love it when the books click so well with the kids.
8/20/14 Used in my hodgepodge preschool theme and it was great! Smaller crowd, my regulars, and a bit older than 3 and 4. So they followed this perfectly. I made a different voice for when Donut was in disguise and for the ice cream cone. But other than that, it flowed perfectly and the kids were not confused by my same narrator voice and Donut voice. (Possibly because I do so many E&P books that they've gotten used to the difference between text and speech bubbles. Woohoo! I love it when the books click so well with the kids.
March 6, 2014
Age: Preschool-1st grade
Similar to Z Is for Moose, this is a cute take on a character that wants more "page time" from the book. The premise is very simple, the words are minimal and you will breeze through this book. But that is what makes it fun, especially when Donut the bear finally gets a story but the next spread is the last page. What Benton succeeds with this character is the compassion that the audience holds with him because he is most certainly cut off short by a quite rude narrator, providing an excellent juxtaposition and not just a "greedy" bear.
Similar to Z Is for Moose, this is a cute take on a character that wants more "page time" from the book. The premise is very simple, the words are minimal and you will breeze through this book. But that is what makes it fun, especially when Donut the bear finally gets a story but the next spread is the last page. What Benton succeeds with this character is the compassion that the audience holds with him because he is most certainly cut off short by a quite rude narrator, providing an excellent juxtaposition and not just a "greedy" bear.
July 8, 2014
Kinda lame. This is one of those author interacting with the elements of the book as the story is unfolding tales. Donut the Bear doesn't get to star in much of a story so he spends the entire book trying to sneak back into the book which was declared over at the beginning.
Not as funny as I was expecting and the main character wasn't as lovable as I was hoping for. Other books have done this topic better. PreK-2.
Not as funny as I was expecting and the main character wasn't as lovable as I was hoping for. Other books have done this topic better. PreK-2.
April 29, 2014
This is a fun book for kids because it is funny and unexpected. Also, the end invites the reader to read the book again, which kids are likely to enjoy, as well. I didn't end up liking the characters very much, which is why I gave it three stars, but I do think that for a storytime or a read aloud, ECE level readers would enjoy it.
April 26, 2014
A bear doesn't want his story, the story about him, to end, so he keeps returning with some silly antics, until he finally gets a little bit more story. This book has simple text, but is one of those stories about a story, where the characters talk to the author, which makes it conceptually challenging for little ones.
January 12, 2018
This is a great book for teaching students about narration in a story. The narrator interacts with the character. It’s pretty funny. I think it could also be used for encouraging more detail in a story, as the story is “finished” on the third page. The rest of the book is the main character co planning that it can’t be over yet.
February 5, 2018
We love this book at my house. Especially the many ways Donut tries to keep the story going. With big empty spaces and little text, it draws the reader in with its simplicity and makes the small not-yet reader confident that they can follow. But, be prepared to read it at least once more (spoiler alert) because the narrator suggests doing just that at the actual "end" of the book!
May 19, 2019
Il était une fois un ours du nom de Donut qui a fait un rot... et c'est la fin de l'histoire! Oui, mais est-ce que Donut est d'accord avec cette fin? A-t-il seulement son mot à dire? Un album coloré qui aurait pu être intéressant, mais qui tourne énormément autour du pot, pour nous laisser finalement sur notre faim. Peut-être que plus d'anecdotes auraient rehaussé la qualité de ce récit?
March 5, 2014
This is a good, silly book. It makes a good read-a-loud too, but I just never feel that Jim Benton is as funny as he's trying to be. It's probably just me, but it always feels like he's forcing the humor.
January 14, 2018
Summary: Donut doesn't want the book to end.
Why I Read This: It was on the books to read to your kids before kindergarten list.
Review: I don't think that I found this book as charming as I should have. It was fine, and a kid might like it, but it was fine.
Why I Read This: It was on the books to read to your kids before kindergarten list.
Review: I don't think that I found this book as charming as I should have. It was fine, and a kid might like it, but it was fine.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews