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readingjag's review against another edition
3.0
This book is so 1970s. The intricate drawings are pretty amazing.
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
This is probably the most bizarre picturebook I've ever read, and I've read some weird ones, nihilistic ones, and absurd ones. Sam loves donuts to the point where he goes all by himself to the big city to get even more. And he does get more--so many in fact, that he doesn't quite know what to do with himself. But those donuts come strangely in handy as a woman almost drowns.
Each illustration is incredibly detailed, filled with small jokes, puns, plays on advertising, metafiction, intertextuality, social norms. It's a book that I could stare at for hours. There's so much going on, and there's so much to look at. Ultimately, this is a strangely incredible book that has just enough absurdity to entertain a child, and endless amounts of absurdity for the children's literature academic.
Review cross-listed here!
Each illustration is incredibly detailed, filled with small jokes, puns, plays on advertising, metafiction, intertextuality, social norms. It's a book that I could stare at for hours. There's so much going on, and there's so much to look at. Ultimately, this is a strangely incredible book that has just enough absurdity to entertain a child, and endless amounts of absurdity for the children's literature academic.
Review cross-listed here!
beths0103's review against another edition
2.0
Lots of people love this book. I, on the other hand, do not get its appeal. I think Mark Alan Stamaty was on an acid trip when he created it.
inkdrinker83's review against another edition
5.0
What a wild book. The illustrations are so odd and overly detailed, filled with humor and strange creatures. If you like Edward Gorey and R. Crumb, you would love this book.
dawnoftheread's review against another edition
5.0
This may be one of the weirdest picture books I've ever read.
bluenicorn's review against another edition
4.0
I love this book. The illustrations have all the detail of a Hieronymus Bosch painting- but in a non-creepy way. And the story is great. Especially if you like donuts or love.
lucyblack's review against another edition
5.0
This book is rad. I like it that the author is not afraid to give the main kid character some real issues and problems to deal with. I guess it comes down to greed and love and that horrible feeling when you are a kid that you just want stuff so bad and no other emotion can compete. It made me hungry for: more from this author, more big city life and ,obviously, donuts.
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
4.0
Who Needs Donuts? is an absolutely delightful children's book by Mark Alan Stamaty (both story & pictures). I have no idea how I missed this one growing up. And only discovered it now thanks to my good friend Richard. In a conversation that started with the closing of H&H Bagels in NYC, we wound our way 'round to Who Needs Donuts. Richard was amazed that I'd not heard of this book. I managed to lay my hands on it (thanks to a deal with Amazon), have it delivered today and whizzed through it in half an hour. But that's just a preliminary run-through. I suspect I'll be going back to look at this one--sneaking peeks off and on like I used to do with my son's Where's Waldo? books.
In fact, Donuts has a very Waldo feel to it. The pages are jam-packed with illustrations that have what seems to be millions of things going on in them. The story is a simple one: Sam is a little boy who loves donuts. He takes off on his tricycle to the big city where he suspects there must be all the donuts he could ever want. He makes friends with a man who collects donuts and it would seem that Sam's dreams have come true. But then he learns a valuable lesson. Who needs donuts when you've got love?
First published in 1973, Donuts never received the recognition that Waldo and other densely illustrated books have enjoyed. It's a shame because the drawings are outstanding--you could look at them for hours and still not see everything there is to see. The downright kookiness embodied in the illustrations are sure to appeal to kids....and those of us with a kid still hiding inside. Four and a half stars.
In fact, Donuts has a very Waldo feel to it. The pages are jam-packed with illustrations that have what seems to be millions of things going on in them. The story is a simple one: Sam is a little boy who loves donuts. He takes off on his tricycle to the big city where he suspects there must be all the donuts he could ever want. He makes friends with a man who collects donuts and it would seem that Sam's dreams have come true. But then he learns a valuable lesson. Who needs donuts when you've got love?
First published in 1973, Donuts never received the recognition that Waldo and other densely illustrated books have enjoyed. It's a shame because the drawings are outstanding--you could look at them for hours and still not see everything there is to see. The downright kookiness embodied in the illustrations are sure to appeal to kids....and those of us with a kid still hiding inside. Four and a half stars.
nsfinch's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was really weird and I didn't love it. I didn't like the particular style of art. But there's so much to find in the illustrations upon multiple rereadings that I still think it would be a good book for a kid. I think this is a good book that just isn't for me.