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Walter the Baker
Walter the Baker is famous for his breads, rolls, cookies, tarts, and pies. The Duke and Duchess especially love his warm sweet rolls, delivered fresh to their castle every morning. But one day the cat spills the milk, and Walter is forced to serve the Duke and Duchess rolls made with water. After one bite the Duke throws down his roll in disgust and summons Walter to the castle. He threatens to banish the baker unless he can take the same dough and make a good-tasting roll that the rising sun can shine through three times. Will Walter succeed in his task, or will he have to leave his town forever?
With good humor and the vibrantly colored paper collages that are known and loved the world over, Eric Carle has concocted a delicious book that kids will savor, now available in a Level 2 Ready-to-Read edition that’s ideal for newly independent readers.
With good humor and the vibrantly colored paper collages that are known and loved the world over, Eric Carle has concocted a delicious book that kids will savor, now available in a Level 2 Ready-to-Read edition that’s ideal for newly independent readers.
40 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1972
12 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
About the author
Eric Carle
755 books2,464 followersEric Carle was an American author, designer and illustrator of children's books. His picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, first published in 1969, has been translated into more than 66 languages and sold more than 50 million copies. Carle's career as an illustrator and children's book author accelerated after he collaborated on Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?. Carle illustrated more than 70 books, most of which he also wrote, and more than 145 million copies of his books have been sold around the world.
In 2003, the American Library Association awarded Carle the biennial Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal (now called the Children's Literature Legacy Award), a prize for writers or illustrators of children's books published in the U.S. who have made lasting contributions to the field. Carle was also a U.S. nominee for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2010.
In 2003, the American Library Association awarded Carle the biennial Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal (now called the Children's Literature Legacy Award), a prize for writers or illustrators of children's books published in the U.S. who have made lasting contributions to the field. Carle was also a U.S. nominee for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2010.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
January 4, 2020
3.5 stars. This was an interesting and fairytale like story about a Baker who gets banished from the kingdom after making some sub standard rolls. He is told to make something wonderful and new and by accident comes up with a pretzel. There is some interesting information on the back page about the origin of the word pretzel.
Read on open library.
Read on open library.
June 29, 2016
* * * Read & reviewed by me and my niece Emma * * *
Emma tricked me! We got two books from the library. I'd read one, she'd read the other. She picked who would read which. Turns out she handed me the harder one, the one designed for her reading level, and she gave herself the easy-peasy one. Then she had me read first, so it was too late by the time I figured out what was going on. Sneaky little sh*t!
Oh well. I'm not her mom or teacher, and anyways we're just reading for fun on days when I babysit her during the summer, so it's no big deal. I'd like her to improve her reading skillz, but I also need to keep her entertained for about 8 hours. If some of that time is spent doing some sedate reading, all the better. (Damn kid wears me out!)
Walter the Baker provided a good bit of sedate entertainment. That alone gets it at least 3 stars in my book. That it's a fun story about food gets it another star. Emma loves the show "Cake Boss" and is planning a future trip (in her mind) to Hoboken, NJ (who is this kid?) where the show is apparently shot...I don't know if that's fact. I'm going on the word of a sneaky six-year-old.
The girl is rail-thin, but she loves cooking. Since Walter the Baker is about a bread baker, Emma was all about this book. "That was fun!" she exclaimed afterwards. She doesn't usually exclaim anything after I finish reading her a book, so I'll take that to mean this was a winner.
Emma tricked me! We got two books from the library. I'd read one, she'd read the other. She picked who would read which. Turns out she handed me the harder one, the one designed for her reading level, and she gave herself the easy-peasy one. Then she had me read first, so it was too late by the time I figured out what was going on. Sneaky little sh*t!
Oh well. I'm not her mom or teacher, and anyways we're just reading for fun on days when I babysit her during the summer, so it's no big deal. I'd like her to improve her reading skillz, but I also need to keep her entertained for about 8 hours. If some of that time is spent doing some sedate reading, all the better. (Damn kid wears me out!)
Walter the Baker provided a good bit of sedate entertainment. That alone gets it at least 3 stars in my book. That it's a fun story about food gets it another star. Emma loves the show "Cake Boss" and is planning a future trip (in her mind) to Hoboken, NJ (who is this kid?) where the show is apparently shot...I don't know if that's fact. I'm going on the word of a sneaky six-year-old.
The girl is rail-thin, but she loves cooking. Since Walter the Baker is about a bread baker, Emma was all about this book. "That was fun!" she exclaimed afterwards. She doesn't usually exclaim anything after I finish reading her a book, so I'll take that to mean this was a winner.
May 18, 2021
I always like Eric Carle's drawings and storytelling but the story to this was a bit of hierarchic super power. A baker makes a "nasty" roll, due to a kitty misfortune, and the duke and duchess dislike it and tell him he must leave the village forever. But knowing if Walter were to leave they would not have wonderful pastries anymore threaten him to make a brand new piece of dough that tastes good and the sun must shine through it 3x. With a scared and frustrated Walter he decides to give up and throws the dough in some water. His family see what he has done, pops the dough in the oven and wait..... Hesitant, Walter has now invented a PRETZEL!
Cute story but wasn't liking the power play of the hierarchy here. I did like that despite the all of this, Walter tries his best and almost gives up but doesn't.
Overall, short and cute.
Cute story but wasn't liking the power play of the hierarchy here. I did like that despite the all of this, Walter tries his best and almost gives up but doesn't.
Overall, short and cute.
August 2, 2025
Bread heals the world. Can't wait to try it one day.
April 30, 2011
I have since been informed by my children that 2 stars is a bit harsh. They would like to rate 4 stars so we are compromising. 3 stars it is then.
We are big Carle fans but this book was far from what we have come to expect. The story was a little boring and the characters not relatable nor very kind, at least so far as the Duke/Duchess were concerned. Besides the art, this is a forgettable childrens book, sad as that feels to be saying so. We plan to stick with Carle's early reader animal books for now.
We are big Carle fans but this book was far from what we have come to expect. The story was a little boring and the characters not relatable nor very kind, at least so far as the Duke/Duchess were concerned. Besides the art, this is a forgettable childrens book, sad as that feels to be saying so. We plan to stick with Carle's early reader animal books for now.
October 15, 2018
The Duke is upset that the baker substituted water instead of milk. He threatens to banish the baker if he can't invent a new bread. Here is a cute and imaginative story of the invention of the pretzel
June 20, 2019
A harrowing tale of feudal oppression. Short on morals but long on descriptions of tasty baked goods.
Read
October 29, 2025A family favorite 🥨
March 17, 2023
A ridiculously stupid story about a Duke who is going to spite himself by exiling his favorite baker for messing up one single time. The ending depends on a really contrived bit of mishearing that put me in mind of Ryan George's YouTube videos about how different things got their names, except Eric Carle's version here is not at all funny or good.
We've owned this book for two decades, but I don't believe I've ever read it before. I should have kept the streak going.
We've owned this book for two decades, but I don't believe I've ever read it before. I should have kept the streak going.
July 13, 2020
The story is pretty long and boring when you consider it's a board book for toddlers.
However, this cautionary tale contains an important message about the tyranny of the ruling class. Sic semper tyrannis!
However, this cautionary tale contains an important message about the tyranny of the ruling class. Sic semper tyrannis!
May 9, 2020
This book is wild. A baker in a feudal village has one bad day and makes a crummy batch of rolls. The duke and duchess eat the crummy rolls and decide that Walter must be banished from the only land he's ever known.
When Walter pleads that he wouldn't have a home and he doesn't know where he'd go, the duke tries to think of a way to let Walter stay. (Other than just being a decent person and changing his mind about the banishment.) He comes up with this wacky riddle about making a roll that the sun can shine through three times—if Walter meets these cryptic requirements by the next morning, he can stay. Hey, don't look at the duke—he doesn't make the rules. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
In his rage at not being able to satisfy the riddle, Walter accidentally makes a pretzel by throwing dough in the air and sticking it to the ceiling. It falls down in what I can only presume is dirty mop water, and then his wife bakes it. This is for some reason delicious, and everyone (the duke included!) celebrates that Walter doesn't have to be banished anymore!
Truthfully, this book is more like 2.5 stars, but I had so many belly laughs with my 4-year-old at the absurd plot. Rating the experience more than the story.
When Walter pleads that he wouldn't have a home and he doesn't know where he'd go, the duke tries to think of a way to let Walter stay. (Other than just being a decent person and changing his mind about the banishment.) He comes up with this wacky riddle about making a roll that the sun can shine through three times—if Walter meets these cryptic requirements by the next morning, he can stay. Hey, don't look at the duke—he doesn't make the rules. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
In his rage at not being able to satisfy the riddle, Walter accidentally makes a pretzel by throwing dough in the air and sticking it to the ceiling. It falls down in what I can only presume is dirty mop water, and then his wife bakes it. This is for some reason delicious, and everyone (the duke included!) celebrates that Walter doesn't have to be banished anymore!
Truthfully, this book is more like 2.5 stars, but I had so many belly laughs with my 4-year-old at the absurd plot. Rating the experience more than the story.
March 13, 2023
"Walter the Baker" by Eric Carle.
I loved this book; it is about a baker who makes the best stuff in the duchy. The characters include a cat, Walter, Walter Jr., Anna, Duke, and Dutchess. The cat knocks over the milk the baker uses to make rolls, and the Duke and the Duchess do not like the ones he has to make with water because of the cat. They tell him to leave and never return, only to realize they will never get bread from him again. They decide that he has to make bread that the sun can shine through three times and is used with one dough. The baker makes a pretzel, and everybody loves it. The book's illustrations are beautiful and complex. I like how the sun always has a distinct smiling face when things are going well in the story, but you will notice when the Duke is yelling at Walter, the sun does not have a face. I also liked how they showed the baker working through the night just by a window; the page was not dark like many books. I enjoyed this book, and it is excellent for all age levels.
I loved this book; it is about a baker who makes the best stuff in the duchy. The characters include a cat, Walter, Walter Jr., Anna, Duke, and Dutchess. The cat knocks over the milk the baker uses to make rolls, and the Duke and the Duchess do not like the ones he has to make with water because of the cat. They tell him to leave and never return, only to realize they will never get bread from him again. They decide that he has to make bread that the sun can shine through three times and is used with one dough. The baker makes a pretzel, and everybody loves it. The book's illustrations are beautiful and complex. I like how the sun always has a distinct smiling face when things are going well in the story, but you will notice when the Duke is yelling at Walter, the sun does not have a face. I also liked how they showed the baker working through the night just by a window; the page was not dark like many books. I enjoyed this book, and it is excellent for all age levels.
September 23, 2017
Walter was the most famous baker in his village. Everyone loved his rolls and lined up everyday to purchase them. Even the Duke and Duchess who ruled over the land loved them. Until one day when Walter had to substitute water for the milk his cat spilled.
The Duke had to banish Walter, but really didn't want to since he loved the baked goods Walter Jr. brought him each day. So he gave Walter an impossible challenge. He was to create a pastry that you could see the sun three times through it, it had to be made from one dough and also had to taste good.
Walter was up all night trying to make the pastry for the Duke so that he didn't have to leave the town he loved. Low and behold he accidentally created just the thing the Duke asked for. And it was a pretzel!
Cute story, I wasn't a real fan of the illustrations.
The Duke had to banish Walter, but really didn't want to since he loved the baked goods Walter Jr. brought him each day. So he gave Walter an impossible challenge. He was to create a pastry that you could see the sun three times through it, it had to be made from one dough and also had to taste good.
Walter was up all night trying to make the pastry for the Duke so that he didn't have to leave the town he loved. Low and behold he accidentally created just the thing the Duke asked for. And it was a pretzel!
Cute story, I wasn't a real fan of the illustrations.
June 12, 2023
Published in 1972 and donated to the bookstore where I volunteer, it's another wonderful story by Eric Carle, words and pictures. Walter, whose rolls are usually cherished by all, including a duke and duchess, makes a mistake and the royal couple threatens to throw him out of the kingdom unless he can create "a good-tasting roll that the rising sun can shine through three times". The shenanigans to keep his job AND home and to find a way to solve the problem are both quite challenging and funny. But he succeeds with what turns out to be a terrific surprise! Walter saves the day (or really Eric Carle does)!
April 17, 2024
The book is about Walter the baker. He baked bread and other rolls every day. Everyone in the town admired them, even the Duke in the castle. One day the cat spilled milk, and the baker couldn't bake sweet rolls, so he added water, hoping no one would notice. However, the Duke and his wife were not satisfied. The baker was called, and he admitted to using water instead of milk. And he was thrown out of the town. Begging for another chance, he was given it, on the condition, that he can invent a roll through the rising sun can shine three times. It must be made from one piece of dough, and taste good. :)
An interesting story. Children will love this :)
An interesting story. Children will love this :)
August 15, 2023
Talk about picky eaters!
Two characters in this story go ballistic -- and punitive -- when there's a change to their favorite dish, warm sweet rolls.
Pretty weird premise, right? And an interesting one.
Especially true since those spoiled-and-picky eaters are a powerful team a Duke and Duchess.
Savor the delicious details, Goodreaders, when you read this book. And will I tell you the ending? Nah, no spoiler from me. FWIW, I loved that ending.
FIVE STARS to this book by super-creative Eric Carle.
Two characters in this story go ballistic -- and punitive -- when there's a change to their favorite dish, warm sweet rolls.
Pretty weird premise, right? And an interesting one.
Especially true since those spoiled-and-picky eaters are a powerful team a Duke and Duchess.
Savor the delicious details, Goodreaders, when you read this book. And will I tell you the ending? Nah, no spoiler from me. FWIW, I loved that ending.
FIVE STARS to this book by super-creative Eric Carle.
February 19, 2021
Mm, I didn't like this book. I didn't like how much power the king and queen had and how poorly they treated Walter even though they liked, almost all the time, the goods that Walter baked. I didn't like that he got his answer after throwing a fit. To me pretzels have a holy story behind them. I don't think this book does that justice. So I'd skip this book. But I love other things Eric Carle does - so give his other books a try.
September 5, 2022
This book is a fun story about the invention of the pretzel. This is one of the few Carle books with long paragraphs o each page so I would recommend it for upper elementary students. I don't know how this could be incorporated into a lesson but it is a really fun story that will keep every student's attention.
April 23, 2019
4.5/5
A perfectly charming story, with one single flaw: the conflict. Really, Mr. Duke? One bad roll in who knows how many years, and you want to banish him? Boy, if you don't...
Now I want pretzels.
A perfectly charming story, with one single flaw: the conflict. Really, Mr. Duke? One bad roll in who knows how many years, and you want to banish him? Boy, if you don't...
Now I want pretzels.
Read
May 6, 2020Told in Spanish, Walter is a famous baker who makes good things to eat. He invents a new bread roll that the sun can shine through three times. The people are happy to have the baker and something new and nice in their lives.
July 15, 2021
This is an interesting story about a baker whose baked goods displease the duke and duchess, so he is banished from their town.
However, the baked good he comes up with while he is gone is a winner! I liked the ending.
However, the baked good he comes up with while he is gone is a winner! I liked the ending.
October 6, 2022
Okay so the Dutch and duchess was a little confusing. They wanted Walter to stay but they gave him a nearly impossible task to complete in order to stay. 🤔 It was cute nonetheless and it was interesting to read at the end of the book how pretzels came to be!
November 27, 2023
A fun story about Walter the favorite baker of the Duke and Duchess who makes a mistake in his baking. Walter must atone and make a new bread for the Duke and Duchess which turns out to be a pretzel, new to all the townspeople. Also include is a little note about some history of the pretzel.
January 19, 2025
It's a children's book that is over the top. This should be expected because it's a kid's book and should not be taken seriously. Some nit-pick due to how some of the characters behave towards the baker when he goofed up the rolls, but, as I said, it is a lighthearted book that shouldn't be taken seriously. Anyway, I thought the book was a fun read and the artwork was phenomenal.
November 16, 2016
Love this reader - Eric Carle books just make us happy and this is no exception.
Walter the baker has trials and triumphs along with captivating images.
A great reader.
Walter the baker has trials and triumphs along with captivating images.
A great reader.
May 5, 2017
#Baker #Baling #Pretzel #YoungReaders #PictureBook #BookReview #ChildrensBooks #amreading Walter the Baker makes a dish to see three suns.
July 24, 2017
Artwork was good. The story was boring
January 21, 2018
Want to know the origin of pretzels? Read this book!
June 13, 2018
6/12/18 Read with Naomi & Julia.
July 23, 2018
It is just so punny!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews