Donut: The Unicorn Who Wants to Fly

by Laura Gehl, Andrea Zuill (Illustrator)

Donut is a unicorn with a problem: she cannot fly--so she works with all the other creatures in the field and finally accomplishes her goal.

Genres: Picture Books, Unicorns, Childrens, Fantasy, Storytime, Animals, Humor

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 12, 2022

Reviews

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

A coupla messages here: You want what you want, and magical thinking works.

Donut jerry rigs her friends, and she's lucky to have them, is all we have to say!

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars. Lovely story about a unicorn who wants to fly. Is it possible? How can Donut fulfill their dream?

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 6-year-old grandson thought it was funny and asked for it to be re-read a number of times, so it's a winner in this household. The author uses simple, rhyming text to tell the story of Donut, a unicorn who wants to fly. This book would be a great tool for exploring a number of different themes: persistence, trial and error, thinking outside the box, friendship, and teamwork. The illustrations are wonderfully creative!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donut is so cute! Glad she has friends to help her dreams come true.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

With only a couple words per page, tells a story of a unicorn that wanted to fly.

[Sarah BT · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great storytime book! Save for summer.

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charming and humorous picture book that celebrates imagination and friendship. And ... it's about a unicorn named DONUT. What's not to love?!

The story evolves in a predictable way, but the beats of the narrative throughout draw you in in unique and unexpected ways. I love the balance of engaging illustrations with minimal text. Even though there isn't much text, it's still a book to read slowly as your children take in the illustrations.

I think one of my favorite elements here is the two bunnies that help Donut out the entire time. The ending is satisfactory and will bring a smile to your face. Really love this one!

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Blue Slip Media. Opinions are my own.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple rhyming words ['jumps," "thumps," "flumps," and "slumps," for instance] make this tale of perseverance a good choice for a read aloud. The shaggy mane and rainbow-colored horn of its animal protagonist, a sweet unicorn with the unlikely name of Donut add to the story's appeal as does Donut's desperate desire to fly. Having watched birds fly through the air, Donut is sure that if he just tries hard enough, he can also get off the ground. But when he leaps first from a stump and then from a small trampoline, he isn't successful. Even when he tries to troubleshoot and figures out that his problem is a lack of wings, which he remedies with wings using leaves for feathers and tree branches for support, his flight doesn't really take off. Finally, after some deep research and heavy thinking, he and his friends fashion a basket made of vines, twigs, and branches, styled after a hot air balloon, and away he goes, lifted into the sky by his feathery friends. A rainbow in the sky indicates just how happy Donut and his friends are with their accomplishment, something he knows he could never have pulled off without their help. Created with ink, scanned, and colored digitally, the illustrations consist of several spot images and double-page spreads showing Donut up close and despairing after his multiple failed attempts at flight. A gentle nod to the adage "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again," this picture book also honors the helpfulness and ingenuity of friends, even when they are small and such a task might seem too hard for them. It would be interesting to see what Donut will want to do next.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

With unicorns so popular with young readers/listeners these days, this delightful book is bound to be a hit. Not only is the unicorn adorable, but the sweet message about the power of persistence, creativity, and friendship shines through just right. There is plenty of humor as well as the unicorn desperately or determinedly tries to find a way to fly. Donut, the unicorn, tries a whole bunch of different things in an effort to fly. But jumping off a stump or a trampoline doesn't work. Wings really aren't a good idea. Even dreams of planes and rocket packs doesn't lead anywhere. Donut is discouraged but not down and out. Finally, with the help of friends, Donut finds a way into the skies. The grin on Donut's face when success is achieved made me laugh out loud with delight. Anyone who has found success after failure will be able to relate to the way Donut feels. I loved the brief text that keeps things simple with phrases such as "Donut jumps" and "Donut thumps". The illustrations perfectly add the details that make the text shine. I especially loved the illustrations where Donut's friends offer comfort after failure (see below). I also loved the fact that Donut isn't a perfect-looking unicorn, but a rather plump ordinary-looking unicorn (not that a unicorn is every truly ordinary), it makes Donut more relatable. The ink drawings with digital coloring are fabulous and I thoroughly enjoyed them. They are bright, colorful, and a delight all the way around. I adored this book and look forward to many story time readings.

[Cassie Zhang · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn’t decide between 2 and 3 stars honestly. There’s just not much to this book at all. It consists only of 2 word sentences. There are lessons to be taught but it just wasn’t enough for me personally. Love the illustrations though. Will put it in a Little Library.

PS this was a book from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mailing service.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donut, a scraggly, plodding unicorn with a rainbow-colored horn, is a dreamer. He (I will defer to “he”) watches the birds soar above his head, and dreams of flying. He is consumed with thoughts of it happening. He can picture it in his head -- glorious wings and off he goes! He tries and fails, and tries and fails. But that doesn’t stop Donut—he is Determined (with a capital D) to fly. And he does!! With the perfect combination of resolve, rhyming words, and lots of help from those who know first-hand how to do it … he does it! He is one delighted (and delightful) unicorn. The art is wonderful, done in ink and colored digitally. From the birds on the front end-pages to the birds, balloons and Donut in his bird-assisted twig basket on back they truly tell the story. Donut’s resolve serves him well, as well as serving as a wonderful role model. For children who are striving for more (whatever “more” may be) Donut shows us that anything is possible. Knowing that trial and error are part of life is reassuring. As a quiet classroom read aloud (complete with sound effects) or in the hands of the (school) counselor, this will be a welcome addition. Ages 3-7

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A colorful picture story, with limited words, about Donut, the unicorn who dreams of flying. A story about knowing what you want, trying and failing and trying again, to achieve your dream. A positive message about working towards your dreams, not giving up, finding solutions, and trying again and again.

[Prince William Public Libraries · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute story! Donut is a unicorn with a rainbow-colored horn. After observing a bird flying through the air, she decides she wants to fly, too. The problem is that she doesn't know how to go about it. After several unsuccessful attempts, Donut works with other animals in the field to come up with a solution. 

The author uses simple, rhyming text to tell the story. The illustrations, created by Andrea Zuill, are wonderfully creative! This book is a great tool for exploring different themes: persistence, trial and error, thinking outside the box, friendship, and teamwork. This picture book would appeal to readers of all ages for different reasons. While my six-year-old grandson thought it was hilarious and asked for it to be re-read a number of times, some touching moments brought tears to my adult daughter's and my eyes. It's a winner in this household!  

- Review by Valerie, Haymarket Gainesville Library Staff

Click here to find the book at Prince William Public Libraries.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donut watches her bird friend fly through the air and dreams of flying herself. Donut assumes it can’t be that hard and decides to give it a try.

Donut jumps from a stump and thumps right to the ground. She notices the bird has wings so she creates some as well. Unfortunately, that doesn’t work either. After lots of new ideas and tricks, Donut might just have a perfect idea for flying.

Donut does not give up. She doesn’t let go of her dream to fly, even after failing numerous times and after a few bumps along the way. With teamwork and a bit of imagination, Donut just may be able to make her dream come true.

This story is perfect for young readers as there are minimal words and a rhyming pattern. After just a few read-throughs, kids will be able to read the story themselves. The illustrations show Donut’s frustration, her dreams, her excitement, and her friends’ support. Everyone will be rooting for Donut by the end of the story.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calling Unicorn lovers, here’s another charming story to add to your collection. Donut is a unicorn who dreams of one thing in life - to fly. He uses his imagination and ingenuity to try to make his dream come true. As he tries time and time again, he’s surrounded by helpful friends who pick him up when he stumbles and offer companionship when he fails. They watch him jump, thump and flump (Did you notice the rhymes? They don’t stop there. Every series of attempts is accompanied by giggle inducing illustrations and lots of rhyming words.) Finally, with teamwork and cooperation, Donut and his friends solve the problem and Donut soars through the air with his friends.

Thank you to the author and Blue Slip Media for sharing the review copy of DONUT.

[Ann Staats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donut is determined to fly. The unicorn will not give up this dream and tries various ways to fly. At first Donut is unsuccessful, but the ideas get more and more complicated and ambitious. At first Donut jumps from a stump and then off a trampoline. Donut tries to build a wearable wing next. Nothing works until Donut discovers the power of teamwork. The birds build Donut a flying nest, powered by a flock of birds who carry it. There is so much to love in this beautifully illustrated picture book. First there are Donut’s humorous antics while trying to fly—and failing. Then there is the step-by-step thought process of thinking through the science of flight. Finally, there is the lovely teamwork of solving a problem together. A rainbow at the end symbolizes the idea of working together.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donut is adorable and the bunnies are the sweetest little comforter companions for this determined unicorn that wants to fly. Donut is an almost wordless picture book with two word prompts with an expected repetition and response. There are emotions to explore and hopes to hold on to while this little unicorn, that wishes it was logically a pegasus tries and experiments how to be a flying unicorn.

There is not objectionable in this book. It is just cute and fantastically. I think Thomas Edison would be proud that Donut found a plethora of things that didn’t work before finding the one that did.

This was a Dolly Parton Imagination Station book as part of our Tipton County Educational Foundation Books from Birth program for my youngest reader. I’m glad to have it.

[Kirsten Pendreigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable tale of a shaggy dreamer and schemer who yearns to fly will soar into your heart. Donut the Unicorn tries, tries, and tries again to invent the perfect flying machine. All the while, her sweet forest friends support her—helping Donut construct her ambitious inventions and comforting her when they fail. With friends like these, surely Donut will achieve her dream? She does! In a perfect picture book ending that will have everyone saying “Aww!” Andrea Zuill’s evocative pen and ink illustrations are absolutely magical. I don’t think I have ever seen a cuter unicorn! Highly recommend!

[Dana Gunderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donut is a unicorn with grand aspirations! This story takes us on Donut's journey as she chases her dream to fly. With minimal text, readers will rely heavily on illustrations for context, which are beautifully done and full of vibrant detail! This title will prompt children to use critical thinking skills, as they piece together plot through visuals! Gehl uses Donut and her dream to fly to encourage children to keep working toward their own goals and to think out of the box for solutions in order to achieve them! I typically steer away from limited-text titles, but I love this book and the message it promotes. I cannot wait to give it a go in storytime!

[Jilanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever want to do something that's humanly impossible? Like fly? Well, unicorns have wild dreams, too. Cue the violins, and maybe a tuba for good measure, and bring a unicorn named Donut to center stage. Of course any unicorn named Donut would want to fly. Donut tries. And tries. And tries. And finally figures out the answer....in a way that will surprise and make you smile. I am in love with Donut! Kids will be, too. The illustrations, showing Donut's full range of emotions, are fabulous! And for a book with so few words, they offer snort-worthy visual punch lines.

[Olga · Rating 5 out of 5]

We were super excited to read this story & see if Donut learns to fly! Not only is Donut adorable, but this majestic story sends a profound messages of perseverance, imagination & believing in yourself that you can do anything. It has a very simple text, but speaks volume & perfect for kiddos who are just starting to read & learn new words. A beautiful, imaginative & unique story to enjoy over & over again!

[Christine Zandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told in short, simple rhymes, this story is about an adorable unicorn who wants to fly--why not, right?? Donut fails a number of times, but just might surprise you at the end! The lively art perfectly conveys the the long-maned, rainbow-horned unicorn's trials and tribulations. Perseverance and thinking outside the box are conveyed with humor and heart. Overall, a heartwarming, uplifting (pun intended!) story.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using minimal, rhyming text, Gehl and Zuill tell an adorable yet funny story of Donut the unicorn trying then failing, then trying, and trying, and trying again to fly. Definitely a great read aloud for a small enough audience. I wish the book was bigger so it could be used in bigger storytimes. Sometimes you need to think outside the box with a few friends to get your idea accomplished. Go Donut!

[Joy Pitcairn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this frumpy, "flumpy" unicorn. The illustrations really complement the simple, rhyming text, and I found myself smiling the whole way through. I enjoyed the vignette scenes showing Donut's process developing each new idea, and her helpful animal friends are charming. The STEM subtext and enduring themes of perseverance and teamwork add additional layers to this read giving it potential as a classroom read for a unit exploring either of those topics.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice short unicorn book with some messages about perseverance, friendship, teamwork and following your dreams. It is also a bit of an engineering book. I liked it, and it was nice to use in place of a longer unicorn book (How to Find a Unicorn) when the kids in my second storytime seemed ready to move on.

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minimal words and fairly simple but charming pictures tell the story of a persistent unicorn who wanted to fly and the assistance they received from their friends to make that dream come true.

The style of this reminded me a bit of Mother Bruce

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donut is a unicorn who yearns to be like the birds and fly in the sky. With persistence and innovation and the help of some friends, Donut is able to fulfill her dreams. This story was told in simple rhyming text and is great for asking questions and getting kids to think outside of the box. Plus it has a great message on perseverance, making dreams come true and the importance of friendship and teamwork.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura Gehl creates a very engaging accessible book for young readers using minimal text in rhyming phrases as she tells the tale of Donut the unicorn who wants to fly. Zuill's illustrations often tell additional parts of the story. It's a tale of perseverance and problem solving as Donut looks tries and fails and then eventually succeeds in reaching its goal.

[Nelly Buchet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be a little tiny bit biased because Andrea illustrated my first book CAT DOG DOG...But objectively speaking, DONUT is a terrific picture book. We have a hilarious, adorable and one-of-a-kind unicorn/hero worth rooting for; a clear beginning, middle, and satisfying end; elegant, spare text that keeps us turning the pages; and secondary characters that risk stealing the show. LOVE!

[Lisa Katzenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much is expressed in this lovely picture book with so few words. Donut is a unicorn who dreams of flying, and their story is told in expressive yet simple rhyme. The illustrations are so beautiful and full of emotion. This is a beautiful story about dreams, perseverance, and creativity and makes for a great readaloud!