Who Needs Donuts? Hardcover – September 23, 2003

I am Japanese-American, who will be 43 in 2016 (to give you an idea as to where, when, and how I grew up). I remember reading this as a kid. I contend that kid books are ADULT books too, because as an adult, "you can view the kid books through a different prism, from a different perspective, and absorb different messages." With the internet, I am able to remember and look up many books that I read as a kid (if anybody has "Stubborn Bear" by Robert Bigelow and the SCARY whale picture, please Message me), and read different perspectives on them: Messages and ideas that I did not consider, when I read them as a youngster. As a kid, this was a story mostly about donuts, and Sam's desire for donuts. I thought about the book a couple of years ago, SPECIFICALLY about a certain page: After Mister Bickferd ran off with Pretzel Annie, I can remember Sam's bewildered look, and asking Mr. Bickferd, "Don't you want to collect donuts anymore?" I got choked up thinking about that picture, and when I got this book and re-read it, I needed Kleenex, reading that page!! Because, as an ADULT, what that, and the next two or three pages provided me, was the realization that Sam had a "breakthrough," where FRIENDSHIP proved more important than MATERIAL goods. What I didn't remember was, when Sam asked himself, "What am I going to do with all of these donuts," and that when he tried to eat one, he couldn't finish it, was the line (to paraphrase), "Collecting donuts didn't seem as fun without Mister Bickferd." Using something from MY era, let's say that I wanted to play video games more than anything. Then, I met a friend with HUNDREDS of games, had fun playing the games with him. Then, let's say that suddenly he found a girlfriend, or decided to take up sports, and he gave ME all of his video games. As a YOUNGSTER, I may have thought "Cool!" But, as an ADULT, like Sam losing Mr. Bickferd as a friend, me losing my video game scenario friend may have left me with an empty heart, because I would have felt the emptiness of "losing a friend." I probably would not have enjoyed the video games nearly as much. I think that junior high, high school, and college students SHOULD read this book too, because above all, it will open up your eyes to just how valuable great FRIENDSHIPS can be. At the BEGINNING of the book, it said that Sam had a nice house, a big yard, and a lot of friends. After he returned from his "donuts adventure," I'd venture to say that he appreciated his many friends THAT much more! Oh yes, and the DRAWINGS are downright fascinating, too!!

I was a little when this book was new, and I loved it. It is full of puns, plays on words and absurdities, which I think a lot of little kids love, especially when they're learning new things, like how to read. Point to something a kid has just learned and call it by the wrong name, and they will happily correct you and often think it hilarious that you don't know your dogs from your cats. This book is full of crazy things that kids know are insanely "wrong" and therefore funny. Just rereading the book today, they're still funny. Pigeons don't have horse's heads! Abraham Lincoln in New York? Walking a dog? Some things will be particularly funny to adults, and especially to New Yorkers: a store with a sign asking "all customers please go away," a pay phone with a sign that says, "Phone is not in working order. Place donation in coin slot," and a sidewalk food vendor selling "fried oranges with mayonnaise." Absolutely everywhere you look in this book, there are crazy things to see in Stamaty's incredibly detailed pen and ink drawings--drawings that make my jaw drop just to look at them and think of the amount of time and work that went into them.The story itself is also silly but sweet, and speaks to little kid desires and fantasies and what would happen if a kid got to live those little kid dreams (the look on Sam's face when he is crazed with donuts is priceless). It's also about helping people and the importance of relationships. There's a lot going on in this little book!

This was one of my very favorite books as a child, and I've wanted to find a reprint. Finally it is available!!This book is chock full of details. Every page is filled with fun and silly drawings, and about a ba-jillion little images that tell stories within stories within stories. I remember I loved to search the pages for something I hadn't seen before, and then create new stories from my own imagination.This book is about a happy boy that one day thinks he needs something else. He becomes obsessed with doughnuts and journeys to try to collect them all-- he can't get enough. In the process, he adventures away from home and all through the city.There is plenty of ridiculousness and just plain loony stuff in this book, which makes it particularly fun and memorable. This is a perfect gift for a very creative or imaginitive child (or adult). "Who Needs Donuts?" is fun and entertaining, but also makes you feel happy with what you have in life.

I got my first copy of this when it came out, in '73. I'd already cut my teeth on Will Elder drawings in Mad Magazine paperbacks, and I was enthralled with the psychedelic vision of New York that this book portrayed. I read it -- or should I say, looked at it (since there's not too much to the story) -- for hours, and returned to it again and again. I loved to get completely absorbed in the art, and I have to say it is, in its way, an accurate depiction of what it felt like growing up in NYC in the 70s -- weird things happening everywhere and a thousand private dramas, with a million tiny details, everywhere you look. I've often thought of it since then, and looked it up on Amazon on a whim. What a joy to see it's in print again! I immediately bought a copy for my 9-year-old son, and he loves it as much as I do.I think the age range suggested on this book's listing is ridiculous. Anyone from age 3 up to the age where you need strong reading glasses would love this. Anyone with a soul that loves art, humor, and the ridiculousness of life, that is. Buy a copy for someone you love and spread the word.

This book is amazing. Tons of things hidden in the amazing illustrations. So sweet. Definitely a family favourite!

This was my favorite book in 3rd grade back in 1980ish. I used to know EXACTLY where it was in library and could find it without going in the card catalogue.It is an odd book full of hand drawn pictures telling a story about a boy and doughnuts. There are so many small things to find in all the different pages of the these drawing and person could look for hours at the pages. This book is the equivalent of find Waldo on steroids

My 5 year old son loved this book, and so did I. The pages follow an horror vacui tendency and everything is full of little details which are so fun to spot (pipe smoking birds, horse headed pidgeons...). This is a gem. The most inspiring children's book's illustrations I've ever seen.

Such a hilariously awesome book! It's weird, which I appreciate, and has very interesting pictures, which my child loves!

Beautiful, gorgeous book.Have read it to my son a thousand times and he's still enchanted. The intricate drawings and quirky humour make it a real pleasure. A classic.