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Bagels from Benny
Benny loves to help out at his grandpa's bakery in the morning, and the customers love the crusty bagels with their soft insides. When Grandpa explains to Benny that God, not him, should be thanked for the wonderful bagels, Benny sets out to do just that. He decides to leave God a bagful of bagels in the synagogue at the end of each week. And each week God eats the bagels --- or so Benny thinks ... Lovingly told, Bagels from Benny explores the values of caring and sharing, building a strong sense of community and finding joy in giving thanks.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
8 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Aubrey Davis
12 books44 followersI always loved to read. As a boy I had a passion for myths, bible stories, science fiction and Mad magazine. My neighbor was a writer for CBC. Maybe I caught the writing bug from him. I loved to write funny stories. My Grade six teacher liked them. But my Grade eight teacher hated them. So I stopped writing creatively until I was 42.
In 1970, I traveled across Europe and North Africa and discovered a remarkable collection of traditional Teaching stories by Afghan writer Idries Shah. These bottomless tales puzzled, shocked and delighted me. They helped me see the world and myself in fresh, new ways. They made me think like I’d never thought before.
In 1980, I began to tell them, first to my own children, then at weekly gatherings in Toronto. Later I told stories on radio and television, and in schools, libraries and festivals across North America. I created an oral language program for developmentally disabled children. I taught them language through story. They taught me how to tell and write simply and dramatically.
One day I was invited to tell a Chanukah tale to a large and very young audience. I couldn’t find a story I liked. In desperation I wrote one myself. The children loved it and so did Kids Can Press. That’s how Bone Button Borscht was born.
Over the years, I’ve worked as a logger, farmer, salesman and teacher. Now I write and tell stories.
My book, Bagels from Benny, has won may awards including the Sydney Taylor Award and the Canadian Jewish Book Awards Children’s Literature Prize. I have also written the screenplay for Sheldon Cohen’s animated film, The Three Wishes was published in October 2011 as Kishka For Koppel (Orca). My most recent book is A Hen for Izzy Pippik (Kids Can Press),Une Poule pour Izzy Pippik (Editions Scholastic).
In 1970, I traveled across Europe and North Africa and discovered a remarkable collection of traditional Teaching stories by Afghan writer Idries Shah. These bottomless tales puzzled, shocked and delighted me. They helped me see the world and myself in fresh, new ways. They made me think like I’d never thought before.
In 1980, I began to tell them, first to my own children, then at weekly gatherings in Toronto. Later I told stories on radio and television, and in schools, libraries and festivals across North America. I created an oral language program for developmentally disabled children. I taught them language through story. They taught me how to tell and write simply and dramatically.
One day I was invited to tell a Chanukah tale to a large and very young audience. I couldn’t find a story I liked. In desperation I wrote one myself. The children loved it and so did Kids Can Press. That’s how Bone Button Borscht was born.
Over the years, I’ve worked as a logger, farmer, salesman and teacher. Now I write and tell stories.
My book, Bagels from Benny, has won may awards including the Sydney Taylor Award and the Canadian Jewish Book Awards Children’s Literature Prize. I have also written the screenplay for Sheldon Cohen’s animated film, The Three Wishes was published in October 2011 as Kishka For Koppel (Orca). My most recent book is A Hen for Izzy Pippik (Kids Can Press),Une Poule pour Izzy Pippik (Editions Scholastic).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 30, 2021
I saw this book when making a list of good juvenile reads for Jewish American Heritage Month at my job. It seemed interesting to me, and though I’m not Jewish myself, I like to diversify my reading to experiences outside my own and found it to be a very touching story. I feel like outside of the religious theme, it’s also a story about how we have the power to effect the lives of others and can do simple things to help. I also found the illustrations to be very unique and to follow along nicely with the story.
June 21, 2010
This book made me laugh and cry as I read it to my kids. While this is a Jewish tale, it doesn't matter which religion (or no religion) you are, it's a good story about how helping people enriches your life.
November 28, 2024
This is a touching tale about the surprising ways in which God acknowledges our prayers.
June 30, 2017
This book was beautiful, it honestly made me tear up at the end.
April 6, 2019
This is a beautiful story about a little boy and bagels. Does not seem like much but this book is actually very powerful and an important read. Benny’s grandpa tells him that Benny should be thanking God for the bagels he makes at the bakery. Benny decides to sit down and thank God for the bagels just like his grandpa had told him. In order to thank God for the bagels, Benny brings a bag of bagels to the synagogue and this makes Benny feel good to know that they are eaten each time he comes back. Sweet and powerful read!
August 24, 2020
What a wonderful story. Based on an old legend, the story is about a little boy and his grandpa who is a baker who bakes the best bagels in town. When Grandpa explains why God should be the one thanked for the bagels, and not himself, Benny sets out to find the best way to thank God. He decides that the Synagogue would be the best place and does something secretly week after week. The ending gave me goosebumps. Wonderful illustrations.
July 1, 2022
This is a tender story of Benny, a young boy, who helped his grandpa in the bagel shop. Everyone loved these bagels but one day when a woman thanked his grandpa for the delicious bagels, his grandpa said to thank God. So every Friday, Benny left a bag of bagels at the synagogue to say thank you God. When Benny learns who has been enjoying the weekly bags of bagels, he and his grandpa are surprised but they and the reader learn a heartfelt lesson.
September 12, 2022
A cute book with a sweet message
We aren't exactly a religious family. But we are necessarily adverse to discussing religion with the kids. With that being said, we really enjoyed this book and the message it shared. Hopefully, it helps to inspire young people to want to help others whenever and wherever they can
We aren't exactly a religious family. But we are necessarily adverse to discussing religion with the kids. With that being said, we really enjoyed this book and the message it shared. Hopefully, it helps to inspire young people to want to help others whenever and wherever they can
August 3, 2019
The illustrations were rendered in watercolor and pencil on 140 lb Fabriano watercolor paper.
In keeping with the story's motif of bagels, the illustrator uses a lot of brown, earth tones reminiscent of bread and the pictures are composed in a circle vignette.
In keeping with the story's motif of bagels, the illustrator uses a lot of brown, earth tones reminiscent of bread and the pictures are composed in a circle vignette.
January 4, 2022
I loved this book. It is so good and I could tell me children understood the message and were very touched. We are not Jewish but are faithful, God-loving people who care about others. It was wonderful!
December 17, 2025
I really loved this! I have read other tellings of this story but this is my favorite so far! Benny helps his grandpa with his bakery and ends up helping someone in need! I love the illustration style so much! It feels so heimish and sweet in a vaguely New York way! :)
December 28, 2018
I enjoyed this story about a little boy who thought he was bringing God bagels. I love that he kept at it and that in the end, he got to see the fruits of his good works.
May 5, 2019
Endearing story
February 21, 2023
The late Aubrey Davis wrote wonderfully human and humane books. This is one of my favourites (or maybe they all are!) -- written with heart and soul, just like Aubrey!
Read
November 26, 2024Unexpectedly religious
July 19, 2025
Illustrations + story + good lesson = good read
March 21, 2017
This sweet book is utterly endearing. We were all laughing out loud by the end.
April 19, 2016
APA:
Davis, A., & Petričić, D. (2003). Bagels from Benny. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press.
Review: Benny is a little boy who enjoys waking up early and helping his grandpa out at the bakery. His grandpa’s bagels are famously known for their deliciousness. Benny seeks to thank his grandpa for the delicious bagels, but his grandpa stops him. Benny’s grandpa explains that God is whom Benny should thank for the bagels. To show his appreciation, Benny goes to a local synagogue and leaves a bag of bagels. He continues this appreciation because the bag of bagels disappears each week. Benny thinks God loves his gift and eats the bagels immediately. One day Benny’s grandpa follows him to the synagogue. Grandpa catches Benny in the act and questions what Benny is doing. Benny explains his reasoning, but Grandpa tries to explain how God does not need bagels. God knows how appreciative Benny is. It turns out that a poor man was the one taking the bagels. The poor man thought God was the one setting out the bagels for him. He was very appreciative of God and saw this as a positive sign. He even sought out work and found a job from his new inspiration. At first, Benny was upset because the poor man took God’s bagels. After talking to Grandpa, the little boy realized he had done a great deed in helping God change the world into a better place. One of strengths of the book is the story’s lesson of being appreciative to others and helping those in needs. As a public school teacher, one of the story’s weaknesses is the subject of religion. This is such a sensitive manner in the public classroom. However, I do think it is possible to include such books as long as you also include other books with other religions.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to my coworkers to share with their family. It really teaches children to become appreciative to others. If you believe in God, it helps you realize that he blesses you with things you don’t even realize it. He does not need to be thanked with materialistic things. He sees your kindness and gratefulness through acts of kindness. I do not think I would share this book with my students. It clearly mentions God in the text. I would need to have preparation to create a unit that is open to all religious aspects in a non-biased way. Outside of the public classroom, I would also recommend this to children in the younger grade levels. As mentioned earlier, I think the story teaches children a valuable lesson. Not only do they see how hard the little boy works to help his grandpa, but the audience sees the little boy go through great measures just to show how thankful he is.
Grade Level: Preschool – 3rd Grade
Awards/Honors:
• IODE Jean Throop Award – 2003
• Sydney Taylor Book Award for Younger Readers – 2003
• OLA Forest of Reading Blue Spruce - 2005
• Recommended Reading – PJ Library
• Recommended Reading – Jewish Stars
• Recommended Reading – Canadian Children’s Book Centre
Davis, A., & Petričić, D. (2003). Bagels from Benny. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press.
Review: Benny is a little boy who enjoys waking up early and helping his grandpa out at the bakery. His grandpa’s bagels are famously known for their deliciousness. Benny seeks to thank his grandpa for the delicious bagels, but his grandpa stops him. Benny’s grandpa explains that God is whom Benny should thank for the bagels. To show his appreciation, Benny goes to a local synagogue and leaves a bag of bagels. He continues this appreciation because the bag of bagels disappears each week. Benny thinks God loves his gift and eats the bagels immediately. One day Benny’s grandpa follows him to the synagogue. Grandpa catches Benny in the act and questions what Benny is doing. Benny explains his reasoning, but Grandpa tries to explain how God does not need bagels. God knows how appreciative Benny is. It turns out that a poor man was the one taking the bagels. The poor man thought God was the one setting out the bagels for him. He was very appreciative of God and saw this as a positive sign. He even sought out work and found a job from his new inspiration. At first, Benny was upset because the poor man took God’s bagels. After talking to Grandpa, the little boy realized he had done a great deed in helping God change the world into a better place. One of strengths of the book is the story’s lesson of being appreciative to others and helping those in needs. As a public school teacher, one of the story’s weaknesses is the subject of religion. This is such a sensitive manner in the public classroom. However, I do think it is possible to include such books as long as you also include other books with other religions.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to my coworkers to share with their family. It really teaches children to become appreciative to others. If you believe in God, it helps you realize that he blesses you with things you don’t even realize it. He does not need to be thanked with materialistic things. He sees your kindness and gratefulness through acts of kindness. I do not think I would share this book with my students. It clearly mentions God in the text. I would need to have preparation to create a unit that is open to all religious aspects in a non-biased way. Outside of the public classroom, I would also recommend this to children in the younger grade levels. As mentioned earlier, I think the story teaches children a valuable lesson. Not only do they see how hard the little boy works to help his grandpa, but the audience sees the little boy go through great measures just to show how thankful he is.
Grade Level: Preschool – 3rd Grade
Awards/Honors:
• IODE Jean Throop Award – 2003
• Sydney Taylor Book Award for Younger Readers – 2003
• OLA Forest of Reading Blue Spruce - 2005
• Recommended Reading – PJ Library
• Recommended Reading – Jewish Stars
• Recommended Reading – Canadian Children’s Book Centre
May 8, 2014
Brilliant story.
A bold young boy personally wants to thank God for the bagels his grandpa makes in his bakery, because that's who grandpa graciously thanks every time someone compliments his baked goods. Benny thanks God by placing a bag of bagels once a week in an unorthodox place, thinking God is gobbling them up every week. Benny is first disappointed to find out who has been receiving his bagels and then grateful to discover how God works.
I love love love this story for the values imparted to young minds and the effort of one bold little boy to make sure his thanks has been heard and received. Reverence, a generous spirit, learning to speak with God and acting on love are all qualities to draw from the story and apply in daily living with our children.
A golden timeless tale.
September 15, 2015
I want to give this book a higher rating...like a 4.5 but I am not going to-- Thankfully I am at work and can't cry but this book is great!! I LOVE the message, I love pure heart of the boy!! I love the reciprocity, I love the Jewish element .. (I need a good Bagel Place in town...but NOOOO!! )
Why I can't give it a higher rating is on a matter of belief. I believe God doesn't need food, and doesn't have a stomach, but he has a mouth. In fact I believe I am created to look like his basic structure...eyes, mouth nose etc..he is just on a higher plane than I am. BUT STILL AMAZING! LOVED IT! A must read!!
Why I can't give it a higher rating is on a matter of belief. I believe God doesn't need food, and doesn't have a stomach, but he has a mouth. In fact I believe I am created to look like his basic structure...eyes, mouth nose etc..he is just on a higher plane than I am. BUT STILL AMAZING! LOVED IT! A must read!!
April 21, 2009
The lesson to be taken from this story is that by making the world better, we show our thanks to God. The pictures are bland; I don't think children will find them very appealing. However, the simple Jewish folktale from Spain provides an solid choice when selecting material to encourage human kindness and generosity of spirit in youngsters.
March 4, 2013
One of the things I've always loved is the concept of doing for others ("tzedakah") and how each little action has meaning and thus, we need to do things with our whole hearts. I think this is a really lovely portrayal of how hard it is for children to begin to grasp the concept of God, let alone how hard it is for grown-ups to explain it!
June 7, 2011
I enjoyed this book. The illustrations are calming. I think that it was really accurate in the way Benny's thoughts progress too. If I were a child, I would think to do the same thing with the bagels, although I might have been more cautious than Benny.
July 11, 2012
This is a wonderful story about a little boy, in an effort to show gratitude to God, unknowingly helps someone in need and realizes that it is the best way to show our thanks. Such a wonderfully written story, very powerful. LOVE!
September 10, 2010
LOVED this.
June 3, 2012
A great book to act out as a play with kids. Then make your own bagels to share.
May 20, 2013
beautiful children's picture book.
June 7, 2013
While I LOVE this book, I substitute the word "God" for all the male pronouns used when talking about God.
January 10, 2014
When I was younger, my mom used to read this book to me all the time, and I loved it. It is a very cute book and I recommend that every child from 3-7 should read it or have it read to them.
October 29, 2014
Read this with Tommy last night. A story of wanting to tell God thank you and by helping other you do so.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews