Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Arnie the Doughnut by Laurie Keller

Hat tip to author/artist Jerrold Connors for realizing, long before we did, that Arnie the Doughnut would hit its 20th anniversary here in 2023. At last we can tackle the story of a sentient pastry and his longing for meaning in a cold, hungry world. Since its initial publication, the book has managed to create sequels, a musical, graphic novel/early chapter books, and more. But will it stand up to Kate’s scrutiny? I rant about New York City doughnuts and why they suck, how Arnie both thinks too much and not enough, and roads made of Oklahoma maps.

Listen to the whole show here on Soundcloud or download it through iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, PlayerFM, or your preferred method of podcast selection.

Show Notes:

I failed to mention it on the show, but Arnie the Doughnut actually appeared as #90 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll I conducted back in 2012.

Yay! I’ll be attending the Bologna Book Fair again this year. Are you going? If so, let me know. Let’s hang out! As of this precise moment in time, I have no plans!

Readers, you decide. Are lava lamps antiques or not? I vote yes. Kate votes no.

The place to get doughnuts in America? It’s Brown’s Doughnuts in Ocean City, New Jersey. Fight me, if you dare.

Considering the fact that Nikki Minaj song Super Freaky Girl, based on the Rick James song Super Freak, is on the radio right now, I love that Kate located a song at the beginning of this book based on that same Rick James song here.

This is my favorite doughnut:

What’s yours?

We’re actually a bit fascinated by this particular type of landline phone, seen here. It’s a brilliant bit of 2003 nostalgia.

Kate noticed this second place trophy in Mr. Bing’s cabinet. I didn’t get a good look at it before, but it’s clear now that this is for bowling. Why do I know this? Because bowling plays a HUGE role in an upcoming Arnie graphic novel. That would be the book Bowling Alley Bandit, if you’re curious.

What fancy people are having a party at breakfast time?

There are a fair number of Oklahoma references in this book, and here’s another. I suspect that this was a reference to Keller’s first huge hit, The Scrambled States of America. A book we have yet to do.

Here’s Chris O’Dowd reading the book. It’s a bit abridged, but, then, it would have it be, wouldn’t it?

Those of you who missed my review of Vasilisa the Wise can find it here. The art was, to put it plainly, stunning.

Betsy Recommends: Ducks by Kate Beaton

Kate Recommends: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Filed under: Fuse 8 n' Kate