Bagel in Love

by Natasha Wing, Helen Dardik (Illustrator)

Poor Bagel! He dreams of entering the Cherry Jubilee dance contest . . . but no one wants to be his partner! Can he find a sweet-tart who doesn’t think his steps are half-baked?
Bagel loved to dance. It made him happier than a birthday cake! And more than anything, he wants a partner who will spin and swirl, tap and twirl with him in the dance contest. But Pretzel sniffs that he doesn’t cut the mustard, Croissant thinks his moves are stale, and Doughnut’s eyes just glaze over. Can a cute cupcake save the day for our would-be Fred Éclair? Witty and pun-filled, this picture book really takes the cake.

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Childrens, Storytime, Love, Holiday, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Why am I a writer? When I was a young girl, I wanted to be a teacher. I’d line up my stuffed animals in front of a board and teach them the alphabet and how to count. In high school I wanted to be a tennis player. I was on the tennis team, and played at our neighborhood tennis club. Then in college I thought digging dinosaur bones would be a cool job. It wasn’t until I was working at my own public relations agency that I decided I really wanted to write children’s books. I was so inspired by the magic of reading a book that I wanted to see if my active imagination could create magical moments for kids all over the world. I started to write, then sent my stories to publishers, and sold my first manuscript in 1992. I’ve been writing ever since.

Why I write now.

I love the freedom of being my own boss, of coming up with ideas on my own and writing that first draft to see if my idea has any spark. I’m not so crazy about the revising process although there are thrilling moments when I figure out a better way to say something, or when I nail dialog, or work through a complicated plot line. The most exciting moment is when an editor says they want to publish my manuscript. Then I know all my hard work has paid off, and that soon, children will enter my imaginative world through a book.

Reviews

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite punny, Grace likes it but wasn’t in to telling me what she liked about it exactly.

[RJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the plethora of puns would go over the kids' heads at my storytime but VERY CUTE AND GOOD

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bagel dreams of dancing like Fred Eclair but he can't find a partner. Poppy tells him that his moves are half-baked, Matzo flat out tells him no, and Cake tells him to beat it (among others). Just when he thinks he'll never be able to compete in the Cherry Jubilee dance contest, he sees the prettiest, sweetest smelling cupcake ever. Her eyes sparkle like sugar crystals and his heart gets all toasty. Of course they win the contest, but the grand prize was just the icing on the cake!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover of this book really grabbed me with its bright colors and adorable illustrations. I thought it was a fun book full of puns but since I mostly teach 2nd language learners, they wouldn't get a lot of the humor in the book. Adults definitely would but children who speak a second language would have trouble with the puns and would need a lot of explanations to understand what is going on.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humorous baked goods puns throughout the book.
Bagel wants to dance in the competition but doesn't have a partner. He approaches baked goods and is rejected by all of them. Feeling sad, he decides to still dance in the street. He hears someone tapping in the same rhythm and finds his perfect partner. He and Cupcake win the dance contest and become life partners too.
The title feels off as the love interest doesn't even appear until the last few pages.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun word play highlights this story of a bagel in search of a dance partner. Who knew pastries were so snarky? They just make fun of bagel and tell him how bad he is. But he can’t go to the Cherry Jubilee dance contest without a partner. And then he hears the tap tippity tippity tap tap tap of Cupcake and a dance duo is born.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Happy 2018! We’re starting a new year of reading with Bagel In Love, written by Natasha Wing and illustrated by Helen Dardik, the story of a bagel looking for the perfect dance partner, and perhaps something more…

More than anything, Bagel loves to dance. And more than anything, he wants to compete in the big dance contest being held at this year’s Cherry Jubilee. One problem: he just can’t find a partner who can appreciate his moves! He asks many of the sweet ladies in town – Donut, Croissant, Pretzal, Matzo, etc. – but they all turn him down. Bagel is about to give up on competing this year, but as he taps himself down the street, he begins to hear something: someone matching him beat for beat! Could this be the dance partner he hoped for?

Frankly, we had some mixed feelings on this one. The story was fine, and featured some truly clever baked-goods puns, but was ultimately pretty bland; there’s not really a solid message to take away other than “someday, you may find someone who shares your hobbies.” The ending is a bit abrupt, and the emphasis on love felt a little odd, considering the female character is not even introduced until the last few pages. I also wasn’t entirely comfortable with how rudely every single female who wasn’t Cupcake rejected Bagel; it seemed to depict all women except “the one” as being unnecessarily cruel. On the bright side, the art is extremely creative with the premise, you couldn’t ask for more color, and JJ enjoyed the glittery elements on later pages – but even the cutesyness of the illustrations were a little much for me, especially paired with a “meh” story. The length is fine, and JJ loved the colors, but even she was disinterested in the story. Ultimately, this ended up being a lot like the confections it featured: sugary-sweet, but not much substance.

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet read swirls with tap dancing delight and leaves behind glaze of warmth and happiness.

Bagel loves to dance and would like nothing more than to entire the Cherry Jubilee dance contest. But he doesn't have a partner. His toes might be talented, but finding a willing partner turns out to be an almost impossible quest. As the time to the contest nears and no partner is to be found, he's afraid he might be forced to give up on his dream.

This book made me smile. At first, I wasn't sure really what to expect—a bagel in love is a quirky concept—but it was a sugar-sweet delight. Bagel is a funny chump, self-assured and a dancing pro. As he gets denied by alluring eclairs, salty pretzels and fancy donuts, it's hard not to feel sorry for him. He may not be as fancy, but he doesn't deserve it. Young readers will notice this and sympathize with his little bagel heart (if bagels had one) and be elated right along with him when the ending finally brings the happiness he deserves.

The illustrations are bright and fun. Each yummy character brings across personality and easy for young listeners to identify. There's even a few exotic treats thrown in to expand horizons and give the book a more worldly atmosphere. The text runs along as smoothly as a song with making it easy to read aloud. Add the dash of sparkles on the cover and again on the last page spread, and this book glistens with sugary happiness. There's a message as well, and it doesn't stick out straight but rather rolls along on the emotions and leaves a lasting impression: stick to being you and chase your dreams even when others put you down.

My kids absolutely adored this book and grabbed it up more than several times.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed my kids and I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.

[Robbi C · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cute illustrations but the story had me cringing. Basically, a pushy bagel who is very sure of himself as a dancer starts asking female baked goods to go to the dance with him and enter the contest. The first one turns him down so he starts going to places where female baked goods are busy doing other things like a restaurant and a spa and starts asking them in the middle of their food or their spa treatment and is absolutely shocked when they say no, too, and are rude about it. Lol. So, then, he jumps on a stage, interrupting everyone and declares how awesome he is, sure that will get him a date and is once again, surprised when that doesn’t work. So, then we get a nice little vignette of him feeling sorry for himself before he does a little tapping and gets a tap back response from somewhere nearby. Lo and behold, it is the cutest cupcake he’s ever seen who thinks he is an amazing dancer but is sure she is just no good at dancing. But never fear! He assures her she is pretty good so now she feels better. So, they go to the dance together and dance wonderfully and all the other female baked goods who turned him down look salty. 🙄🤮

Too much of the same ‘ol, same ‘ol for me, even if they are cute illustrations.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the cutest book that I have read all year! This would be perfect for a food or Valentine story time. I think that kids will really find it funny. Parents might even have a giggle or two we they compare "Fred Eclair to Fred Astaire"...LOVED THAT PART! The "love" in this book isn't over the top, they just kind of fall for each other after dancing together. Overall, this book is a great read full of puns. My 3 year old daughter compared the characters to Shopkins, which I thought was pretty darn accurate after looking back at the characters. Plus the last page has glitter on it. If I wasn't sold on this book before (which I was), I really was after the page full of glitter. ;)

[Lilith Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Bagel. All he wanted was to find a dance partner. As he goes through all of the baked good and pastries, he is having no luck at finding a partner. As he is about to give up on his big dream, he hears a tap, tap, tap...

This book is funny. While it teaches the kids a great lesson, it is filled with so many jokes and puns, the kids spend more time laughing then learning. We are a huge fan.

This book is a book that will get kids to find a love of reading.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine and were in no way influenced by outside sources. I am a professional blogger at Little Lady Plays

[Jen Fier · Rating 5 out of 5]

BAGEL IN LOVE is EVERYTHING!

The puns. The honeyed illustrations. The puns. The persistent main character. The PUNS!
Natasha Wing holds nothing back when it comes to wordplay in this book. It awes me every time I read it. My toddler loves hearing the tap-tippity-tap onomatopoeia throughout, and we both love a book that celebrates carbs and dancing. Helen Dardik's designer style is innovative, colorful and the icing on this scrumptious cake.

And whoever on the editorial team decided to add sparkles to the final spread and cover is akin to the pastry chef who hollers “SPRINKLES!” Well done, you.

Perfect for Valentine's Day or any day, there’s much to savor about BAGEL IN LOVE

[Christine Irvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fancy-stepping Bagel loves to dance. It makes him "happier than a birthday cake." He wants to enter the Cherry Jubilee, a couples only dance contest, but he can't find a dance partner. Pretzel won't dance with him because she says his moves "don't cut the mustard." Croissant says his steps "are stale." Doughnut's eyes just glazed over when he asked her to dance. Will Bagel be able to find a dance partner in time.

This is such a clever book, filled with sweet puns and sugary-sweet illustrations. They make the perfect recipe for a book that totally takes the cake.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young readers who have ever been left out of the fun will be able to relate to poor Bagel. Bagel loves to dance, and he has his heart set on entering the Cherry Jubilee Dance Contest. But when he starts asking around trying to find a partner, everyone says no. This book has bright, lively illustrations and is full of bakery puns. This would be fun to share with elementary kids during the Valentine season. This would also be a terrific way to discuss word play and idioms in the classroom.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new book apart from the Night Before. . . series. The bakery goods (bagel) looking for a dance partner. Fun concept. Bagel finds his partner in the end and enters the dance contest. This is fun telling adding the ingredients about the baked goods that make them special and distinct. Natasha uses phrases like; "are you trying to butter us up?"and the concept of never giving up on your love of something, being different, and reaching your goal.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many fun puns and my daughter, who's 2, adores it. She pulls it out, flips through all the pages, giggling where she remembers it's funny and then when the cupcake comes in she says "bagel cupcake" on each page until the end when she says the ending(which I won't give away). It's a great way for kids to enjoy reading, learn never to give up, and there's someone out there for everyone, though for some it takes longer to find them

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable book that I would have loved as a child. All the characters are food, and use food vocabulary to tell Bagel that they won't dance with him. In the end, a cupcake becomes Bagel's dance partner and they win the contest. It is full of bright, sugary colors and is a dream for hopeless romantics who are children at heart.

[Eliot Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many puns! The punniest book I’ve read in a long time! Bagel loves to dance and is looking for a dance partner to enter the Cherry Jubilee dance contest. After being rejected by Poppy, Pretzel, Matzo, Croissant, and Donut, Bagel does not give up and finally meets the partner of his dreams: Cupcake!

[Emily Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book with so many pastry puns! I especially love the “Fred Èclair” reference. The illustrations are vibrant and eye-catching. The last 2 pages of the book are also textured with glitter, which was a fun surprise. Very adorable, sweet (no pun intended) book that would be great for Valentine’s Day or any other day.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Virtually every baked-goods pun you can think of is kneaded into this story about a bagel that ends up falling in love with a cupcake. The mature theme and advanced wordplay seem unsuitable for younger readers, but the romantic plot and cute, colorful illustrations might appeal to the tastes of an older, more experienced audience.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the cutest books I've read this year. It features a little bagel who just wants to find someone to dance with him. I loved the clever puns and the moment where he found his dancing partner. I would recommend this as a book for story times since it's a fun, quick read.

[Our Weekend Is Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bagel is a fantastic dancer and he is looking for a partner to enter a dance contest with. All the other deserts make fun of him and don't want to be his partner. In the end he finds his dance partner and everyone is impressed with their dancing. We loved the illustrations on this one.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bagel needs a dance partner, and ends up finding one in Cupcake. The illustrations are super colorful (and even have some glitter at points), which my little patrons will be drawn to, though I feel like the text mostly relies on baking puns to direct where it's going.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and amazing! I was laughing out loud! This is a must read at Valentine's or anytime you need a good laugh. The illustrations are so well thought out and funny, and the message is sweet. To think, I just bought it because I love bagels!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the story itself is nothing to write home about the food puns make it a fun read.

[Jocelin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book a little corny with the "baked goods" puns. Parents may laugh but, kids may scratch their heads.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun food puns.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever and cheeky food puns that won't make you groan

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The food puns ("Call me flaky," said Croissant) are fairly amusing. The illustrations are lively and brightly colored. But the story is a pretty typical find your compatible friend tale.

[Michele Knott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Add this to your figurative language shelf. A fun way to show puns.