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Pantaloon
Pantaloon is a poodle with a sweet tooth. He adores cookies and yummy pastries. So when the Baker is looking for a helper, Pantaloon applies for the job.
"Oh, no, Pantaloon!" says the Baker. "You look to me as if you'd eat more than you'd bake." But Pantaloon proves him wrong in this charming Golden classic, brilliantly re-illustrated by Steven Salerno.
"Oh, no, Pantaloon!" says the Baker. "You look to me as if you'd eat more than you'd bake." But Pantaloon proves him wrong in this charming Golden classic, brilliantly re-illustrated by Steven Salerno.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1951
About the author
Kathryn Jackson
154 books18 followersKathryn Jackson wrote hundreds of lively, witty stories for Golden Books, most of which were coauthored with her husband, Byron. The Saggy Baggy Elephant is one of the pair’s most famous titles. Golden Books that Kathryn Jackson wrote on her own include Tawny Scrawny Lion, Nurse Nancy, Pantaloon, Richard Scarry’s The Animals’ Merry Christmas, and Richard Scarry’s A Story a Day: 365 Stories and Rhymes.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 14, 2025
Call me a Pantaloon! I love sweet rolls, even though they're murder on my gum-recessive teeth - primed for cavities.
Pantaloon, too, loves pastries, so delivering them is his metier of choice (wearing his striped pantaloons a la francais on the cover). It's a wonder he hasn't got sticky fingers, and absconded with a few of 'em... But no, Pantaloon has an innocent heart.
He stole mine, at the age of four! That's when I read this - in 1954 (Read??? - or rather, followed the graphics.) But, say, did you know his name has a deeper meaning than a sobriquet for a poodle?
Pantaloon, we will soon find in our websurfing, is the name of a possessive old dad in the old Italian Commedia dell'Arte - the forbear of Victorian Pantomimes. So his persona has lived for a long time in the European mindset. He just morphs over time! One era happy, one era glum.
Pantaloon's daughter is enamoured with Harlequin, unknown to the old man - the moment his back is turned their endless flirtations begin. But old Pantaloon wants his daughter to marry Pierrot, another dour, moping guy - probably because he'd make a better provider.
Harlequin is just too much of a carefree Bohemian to be serious about money.
The great Romantic composer Robert Schumann portrayed himself as a Harlequin in his youthful collection of tunes, Carnaval. His sweetheart Clara and her doting dad also appear in it, her Dad in the blustering role of Pantaloon. And Robert was a true Bohemian, even sporting an earring.
Robert may have been a flirtatious Harlequin, but there was a catch. You see, he was bipolar. So half of the pieces in his collection turn out sounding as introspective as only a true Pierrot would write them, while half have the careening free feeling of first love.
Clara, you'd think, musta been confused. Life was getting way too complicated for her!
But that's life. We can never live in a set pattern forever. Real life is change.
But you want to know a secret?
If one day you're sunny and carefree as a poodle named Pantaloon -
And the next, there's a bleak driving rain in your life, and you're glum as Pierrot -
Bottom line?
These characters aren't real.
They're all just an act.
Get REAL in your life.
Life's WAY too short for moody head games!
Pantaloon, too, loves pastries, so delivering them is his metier of choice (wearing his striped pantaloons a la francais on the cover). It's a wonder he hasn't got sticky fingers, and absconded with a few of 'em... But no, Pantaloon has an innocent heart.
He stole mine, at the age of four! That's when I read this - in 1954 (Read??? - or rather, followed the graphics.) But, say, did you know his name has a deeper meaning than a sobriquet for a poodle?
Pantaloon, we will soon find in our websurfing, is the name of a possessive old dad in the old Italian Commedia dell'Arte - the forbear of Victorian Pantomimes. So his persona has lived for a long time in the European mindset. He just morphs over time! One era happy, one era glum.
Pantaloon's daughter is enamoured with Harlequin, unknown to the old man - the moment his back is turned their endless flirtations begin. But old Pantaloon wants his daughter to marry Pierrot, another dour, moping guy - probably because he'd make a better provider.
Harlequin is just too much of a carefree Bohemian to be serious about money.
The great Romantic composer Robert Schumann portrayed himself as a Harlequin in his youthful collection of tunes, Carnaval. His sweetheart Clara and her doting dad also appear in it, her Dad in the blustering role of Pantaloon. And Robert was a true Bohemian, even sporting an earring.
Robert may have been a flirtatious Harlequin, but there was a catch. You see, he was bipolar. So half of the pieces in his collection turn out sounding as introspective as only a true Pierrot would write them, while half have the careening free feeling of first love.
Clara, you'd think, musta been confused. Life was getting way too complicated for her!
But that's life. We can never live in a set pattern forever. Real life is change.
But you want to know a secret?
If one day you're sunny and carefree as a poodle named Pantaloon -
And the next, there's a bleak driving rain in your life, and you're glum as Pierrot -
Bottom line?
These characters aren't real.
They're all just an act.
Get REAL in your life.
Life's WAY too short for moody head games!
August 10, 2010
A re-illustrated classic Golden Book that was first published in 1951, this book gets a charming new look. Pantaloon is a dog that loves to eat baked goods. So when a job opens at his local bakery, Pantaloon thinks he will be perfect for it. But the baker doesn’t. He thinks that Pantaloon will eat more than he bakes. Pantaloon even tries a disguise to get the job, but he’s discovered. While Pantaloon is in the barber shop getting his hair cut and trying to come up with his next plan, the baker heads out for more sugar. Unfortunately, he trips over Pantaloon’s bicycle on the way and ends up in bed. Pantaloon eagerly steps in and ices the cakes and delivers all of the goodies to customers. What will the baker say when he returns?
Jackson’s text has an old-fashioned feel to it. It has very nice repeating lines that really tie the piece together. Pantaloon yearns for baked goods in a series of lines and the goodies at the bakery are listed in a winning way each time they are featured. Salerno’s illustrations have a retro feel to them, nicely complementing the feel of the text. His use of bright colors makes the book feel fresh and vibrant.
A very nice read aloud for food or dog story times, this is a retro sugar-rush of a book. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Jackson’s text has an old-fashioned feel to it. It has very nice repeating lines that really tie the piece together. Pantaloon yearns for baked goods in a series of lines and the goodies at the bakery are listed in a winning way each time they are featured. Salerno’s illustrations have a retro feel to them, nicely complementing the feel of the text. His use of bright colors makes the book feel fresh and vibrant.
A very nice read aloud for food or dog story times, this is a retro sugar-rush of a book. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
June 16, 2010
Adorable book with bright pictures about a poodle in pants who likes to wear hats and eat the pastries in the bakery. One day the baker has an accident b/c of Pantaloon's bicycle and he takes over, decorating and delivering the baked goods all over town. He leaves the baker but everyone wonders where he has gone so the baker bakes an enormous cake to get him back and they live happily ever after.
December 19, 2019
I pulled out my 1951 original copy of Pantaloon recently -- hadn't looked at it in so long. Treasured. Yes, part of the five-star rating is nostalgia, but part is because it's a wonderful little story with heart-smiling illustrations. "'Well, my goodness!' said the Baker, very much surprised. 'Well, I do miss Pantaloon, and what do you know about that?'"
August 28, 2010
Maybe I should stop reading books because I think the title is cute. This one wasn't for me. Sometimes the text rhymed, but mostly it didn't. That threw me off. In some ways the story dragged. In some ways it didn't flow as smoothly. Some other things that bothered me would probably sound even more picky, so I'll leave it at that.
July 1, 2014
Childhood favorite. Just ordered a copy from Amazon so I will have it on hand to read to my grandson!
June 2, 2019
This was my favorite book when I was little, but I have the original one published in 1951 (I was 2) then) and like that version much better. The illustrations are better, etc. I still have mine, but the cover is torn, the pages are bent and some colored in my crayon “writing”. I just looked to see if I could find another, and yes I can if I want to spend $30+ dollars.
July 20, 2021
My aunt gave me this darling classic in the 1950s about a French poodle would-be pastry chef and the baker who eventually hires him and comes to love him dearly. It is sweet story with a fun ending--and lots of colorful illustrations with all kinds of desserts pictured. It would make a wonderful accompaniment to a children's cookbook as a gift for a special child!
February 13, 2024
"Pantaloon" (1951) is one of the titles I found in my mother's collection of antique Little Golden Books. This was a really endearing little book. Pantaloon, a large black poodle, loves baked goods and dreams of becoming a baker. However, when an opening becomes available, the baker tells Pantaloon that believes he will eat more than he will bake and sends him on his way. But, Pantaloon does not give up. This lovely story teaches us that we will be rewarded for our good deeds. Terrific!
February 1, 2018
While the illustrations for this book were cute, I must confess that I found the story not as inviting for what is basically a classic children's "picture" book. It had the feeling of "and then", "and then" to me.
March 25, 2023
hooray for Pantaloon
Pantaloon was persistent and wanted to bake. He was helpful even though he got turned away… twice!
The baker learned that he made a mistake judging Pantaloon so quickly and worked with him in the end so everyone was happy.
Pantaloon was persistent and wanted to bake. He was helpful even though he got turned away… twice!
The baker learned that he made a mistake judging Pantaloon so quickly and worked with him in the end so everyone was happy.
April 24, 2018
This is a redo of my favorite book as a young child. When I saw that it had been reissued I had to buy it!
February 2, 2020
Pantaloons are treasured in this home. What a lovely lesson about the friendships that come with both accepting aswell as offering a hand.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2019
Pantaloon, a giant black poodle, wants to be an assistant pastry chef, but the baker has his doubts.
This the story of a poodle with an insatiable desire to become a pastry chef. The baker, however, is prejudiced against dogs and refuses to hire Pantaloon as his assistant because the bake thinks he will eat more than he bakes. Then one day the baker takes a tumble, and Pantaloon seizes the opportunity to prove himself.
The obvious moral is don't judge a book by its cover, which is a warning against prejudice. While one would not expect a dog to make a good bakery assistant, Pantaloon's deep appreciation for baked goods makes an optimal candidate.
This story also stresses the importance of admitting when one is wrong. When the baker realizes he misjudged Pantaloon, he immediately sets out to set things right.
This was one of the most beloved books of my childhood. There is a reissue, but it doesn't have Leonard Weisgard's illustrations, which are a vital part of the story.
This the story of a poodle with an insatiable desire to become a pastry chef. The baker, however, is prejudiced against dogs and refuses to hire Pantaloon as his assistant because the bake thinks he will eat more than he bakes. Then one day the baker takes a tumble, and Pantaloon seizes the opportunity to prove himself.
The obvious moral is don't judge a book by its cover, which is a warning against prejudice. While one would not expect a dog to make a good bakery assistant, Pantaloon's deep appreciation for baked goods makes an optimal candidate.
This story also stresses the importance of admitting when one is wrong. When the baker realizes he misjudged Pantaloon, he immediately sets out to set things right.
This was one of the most beloved books of my childhood. There is a reissue, but it doesn't have Leonard Weisgard's illustrations, which are a vital part of the story.
December 22, 2015
** spoiler alert **
Pantaloon seekor anjing pudel hitam yang menyukai kue. Saat Baker membuka lowongan kerja di bakery-nya Pantaloon tentu tak menyia-nyiakan kesempatan itu. Tapi Pantaloon sangat suka kue. Baker berpikir, Pantaloon nanti bukannya memanggang kue tapi malah asyik menyantap kue-kuenya.
Malang nasib Baker, sedang sibuk-sibuknya dia malah ditimpa halangan. Dia tersandung sepeda Pantaloon yang diparkir di depan tokonya. Merasa bersalah, Pantaloon segera menolong Baker. Tak berhenti di situ, Pantaloon pun dengan sigap menyelesaikan semua pekerjaan Baker. Tak dinyana Pantaloon bukan hanya suka makan kue, tapi memang pandai membuat kue. Tetapi karena merasa bersalah, setelah semua urusan beres Pantaloon tak berani menemui Baker lagi.
Hanya sebuah cake yang bulat, besar, cantik dan beraroma lezat yang bisa menghadirkan kembali Pantaloon di toko milik Baker.
Pantaloon seekor anjing pudel hitam yang menyukai kue. Saat Baker membuka lowongan kerja di bakery-nya Pantaloon tentu tak menyia-nyiakan kesempatan itu. Tapi Pantaloon sangat suka kue. Baker berpikir, Pantaloon nanti bukannya memanggang kue tapi malah asyik menyantap kue-kuenya.
Malang nasib Baker, sedang sibuk-sibuknya dia malah ditimpa halangan. Dia tersandung sepeda Pantaloon yang diparkir di depan tokonya. Merasa bersalah, Pantaloon segera menolong Baker. Tak berhenti di situ, Pantaloon pun dengan sigap menyelesaikan semua pekerjaan Baker. Tak dinyana Pantaloon bukan hanya suka makan kue, tapi memang pandai membuat kue. Tetapi karena merasa bersalah, setelah semua urusan beres Pantaloon tak berani menemui Baker lagi.
Hanya sebuah cake yang bulat, besar, cantik dan beraroma lezat yang bisa menghadirkan kembali Pantaloon di toko milik Baker.
January 23, 2017
I was prejudiced toward the stylized illustration that appears dated. The baker looks oddly familiar like the Sunshine Baker brand character. When I recognized that the story was copyright 1951 and I was looking at a Golden Book "reissue" with recent illustrations by Steven Salerno, the feel of the book took on a different character for me. The story is good. The illustrations are fantastic, however iconic. Endpapers worth the ride.
September 29, 2010
I'm not what the story is on this re-illustrated re-issue but it's great. Pantaloon wants to be a baker, but the baker is concerned he might be more than he bakes. After a series of mishaps the baking bonding is in high swing!
February 7, 2012
New 2010 retro-classic illustrations added to this circa 1951 Golden Book about a bike riding poodle who wants nothing more than to become a baker. The illustrations look great & the story is age-appropriate fun.
June 15, 2010
This one got a lot of play in my house. The bright illustrations definitely helped.
November 16, 2010
Cute, but not in a "you-must-buy-this-book-right-now" way. I think kids will get a kick out of Pantaloon's disguises. (I sure did!)
January 7, 2011
My students really enjoyed this story! They enjoyed the fact that the dog was trying so hard to be a cook- and didn't give up. I actually thought it was a great story as well!
January 28, 2016
Beautiful illustrations. story? meh.
October 18, 2017
This is text from the beloved Golden Book of my childhood, but these are not the illustrations. These illustrations by Steven Salerno are whimsical and modern.
August 9, 2016
When in doubt, hire a poodle. And don't, whatever you do, read any edition other than the one with illustrations by Leonard Weisgard.
January 21, 2023
This poodle can frost my eclair any day.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews