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June 5th is National Doughnut Day

By on June 5, 2026   /   Articles  

This may be a silly question, but … are you a doughnut lover? Because today is National Doughnut Day, a time to celebrate those soft, sweet, breakfast treats. It always takes place on the first Friday of June and although it’s not technically a National holiday, we can celebrate it just the same.

So, if you’re longing for a doughy delight, go to your favorite bakery, pick out your favorite doughnut (also spelled donut), and nibble away while reading a book in which doughnuts are the main course (or characters) of the story.

Batter Splatter (Dollars to Doughnuts series) by Catherine Daly (64 pp)

National Doughnut DayAfter a batter disaster, Julian and Lucy’s cooking class needs a kitchen cleanup, including a new paint job. Luckily, they have a plan to make things right—they’ll simply throw the bake sale of the century! But their sweet dreams dissolve like sugar when faced with the b-word: Budget. What is a budget and how are they ever supposed to stay within it? In this chapter book designed to help kids decipher finance facts and fallacies, Lucy and Julian discover the ins and outs of budgeting.

Donut Go Breaking My Heart: A Wish Novel by Suzanne Nelson (288 pp)  National Doughnut Day

Sheyda is a behind-the-scenes girl. She loves helping out in the kitchen of Doughlicious, the donut shop run by her best friend’s family. And Sheyda loves designing stage sets while others performs in the spotlight. Then lights, camera . . . surprise! Tween heartthrob Cabe Sadler is filming his next movie in Doughlicious!

Sheyda’s outgoing BFF, Kiri, is sure this will lead to stardom. But somehow it’s Sheyda who gets picked for a small role in the film. To make matters worse, Cabe seems spoiled and rude. Too bad he’s so cute. Can Sheyda overcome her stage fright, get to know the real Cabe, and find her own kind of stardom?

Donut Squad: Take Over the World!  by Neill Cameron, releasing on 10/6/26 (192 pp)

National Doughnut DayEver wondered what donuts get up to when they’re not being eaten? No, because that would be silly! But it turns out, donuts have BIG PLANS FOR WORLD DOMINATION!!!

Meet Sprinkles, the leader of the squad; Jammyboi, who spreads stickiness EVERYWHERE; Dadnut and Lil’ Timmy, who explain obscure facts, and Spronky, who is bizarrely unconventional! But don’t mention the arch-nemeses of the donuts… the bagels, who are secretly plotting Donut Squad’s doom!

Perfect for fans of InvestiGators, Dog Man, and Max Meow!

The Doughnut Fix (Doughnut Fix series) by Jessie Janowitz (336 pp)  National Doughnut Day

Tristan isn’t Gifted or Talented like his sister Jeanine, and he’s always been okay with that because he can make a perfect chocolate chip cookie and he lives in the greatest city in the world. But his life takes a turn for the worse when his parents decide to move to middle-of-nowhere Petersville―a town with one street and no restaurants. It’s like suddenly they’re supposed to be this other family, one that can survive without bagels and movie theaters.

His suspicions about his new town are confirmed when he’s tricked into believing the local general store has life-changing chocolate cream doughnuts, when in fact the owner hasn’t made them in years. And so begins the only thing that could make life in Petersville worth living: getting the recipe, making the doughnuts, and bringing them back to the town through his very own doughnut stand. But Tristan will soon discover that when starting a business, it helps to be both Gifted and Talented, and it’s possible he’s bitten off more than he can chew.

The Doughnut Whodunit (The Boxcar Children Mysteries) by Gertrude Chandler Warner (128 pp)

National Doughnut DayA hip new doughnut shop known for its bizarre recipes is opening up in Greenfield. At first, the owners of the other doughnut shop in town, Delilah’s, aren’t worried. But when the new shop starts making doughnuts that look just like some of Delilah’s greatest hits, the Boxcar Children must figure out if it’s just a coincidence or if someone from the new shop is stealing Delilah’s recipes.

Invasion of the Ufonuts  (Arnie the Doughnut series) by Laurie Keller (129 pp)  National Doughnut Day

Arnie finds himself in trouble when his neighbor, Loretta Schmoretta, begins telling news reporters that she was the victim of an alien abduction. And not just any aliens—alien doughnuts from outer spastry, who will continue the abductions until people stop eating doughnuts! Although Arnie thinks this is a ridiculous story, he notices that everyone is treating him differently, as if he is an alien doughnut rather than just a doughnut-dog. And then Arnie gets abducted! Arnie must think fast in order to rescue his fellow doughnuts and the townspeople from the alien invaders.

Monster Doughnuts by Gianna Pollero (256 pp)

National Doughnut DayTen-year-old Grace likes doughnuts and cakes as much as the next kid – but they are also her secret weapon. Grace is a monster hunter who owns a bakery … and everyone knows how much monsters LOVE any kind of sweet treat! Just don’t tell them about the secret exploding baking powder inside the doughnuts and the cookies. When Grace’s Monster Scanning Machine alerts her to the doughnut-loving, people-eating, board-game-playing cyclops Mr Harris, she realizes she’s about to face her biggest challenge yet.

Owl’s Outstanding Donuts by Robin Yardi (232 pp)  National Doughnut Day

Ever since Mattie Waters lost her mother, she’s been sharing a trailer with her Aunt Molly, the proud owner of Owl’s Outstanding Donuts. This hoot of a donut shop serves up delicious snacks to people driving down California’s Highway One―treats like the Turkey Talon, the Banana Slug Bar, and the Strawberry Iced Classic.

Mattie loves her aunt and the shop, even if she’s still dealing with a life without her mom. But not everybody is a fan of Owl’s Outstanding Donuts.

When an owl taps on Mattie’s window one night, Mattie looks out to see suspicious activity not far from the shop. A shady duo is dumping gloop near the highway. And soon people want to blame Aunt Molly! With help from her friends, Mattie sets out to find the real gloopers. Along the way, she’ll face fears that have followed her since her mother’s passing―and get to know Alfred, a stuffy, donut-loving owl who’s also on the case.

Six Thousand Doughnuts by Thomas Tosi  (264 pp)

National Doughnut DayWhy would anyone need six thousand doughnuts?

Big family … little house. Fifth-grader Abe Mitchell is fed up with sharing. All he wants is something to call his own. And he just might get it when he finds a loophole in the fine print of a doughnut shop coupon. Abe thinks it entitles him to a fresh-baked mountain of crullers, dunkers, and chocolate-frosteds. But cashing in means war with Marlene Paczki, the daughter of the doughnut shop owner and Abe’s new crush.

So Jelly! (Donut Dreams series) by Coco Simon (160 pp)  National Doughnut Day

Happy-go-lucky Kelsey hasn’t been so happy-go-lucky lately. She’s starting to feel pretty jealous of her cousin Lindsay and all the extra time Lindsay is spending with her aunt, who just happens to be Kelsey’s mom. The worst part is it seems like Kelsey’s mom wants to spend time with Lindsay instead of her! But once Kelsey adds a pinch of patience to the batter, and Lindsay stirs in her own special brand of silly fun to the mix, Kelsey realizes she’s come up with the perfect recipe for spending time with her cousin and her mom. Kelsey discovers that the love she and her family have for one another is like a box of donuts—there’s always enough to share!

Stick Dog Tries to Take the Donuts (Stick Dog series) by Tom Watson (208 pp)

National Doughnut DayIt’s morning. The dogs are hungry. It’s time to take the donuts!

Stick Dog and his team of strays are off on another outrageous canine caper. To snatch some breakfast treats for his hungry pals, Stick Dog will need to stop a moving truck, outfox a man on a telephone pole, and calm down a very caffeinated Karen. But that’s not all. He’ll also need to manage the greatest confrontation in history when his good friend Poo-Poo comes face-to-face with the ultimate enemy: a squirrel!

With Stick Dog’s smarts, daring, loyalty—and patience—he just might lead his buddies to the best breakfast ever … donuts.

Click here to learn fun facts about doughnuts. And, if you’d like to try making your own doughnuts, here’s a cookbook dedicated entirely to … you guessed it … DOUGHNUTS.

The Easy Baked Donut Cookbook  by Colin Robinett

National Doughnut DayAre you tired of the hassle of frying and the guilt of indulging in your favorite donuts? Look no further! The Easy Baked Donut Cookbook is here to revolutionize your donut experience. Say goodbye to the mess and the excess calories. Say hello to the joy of guilt-free, homemade baked donuts.

In this book, you’ll find irresistible flavors from classic cinnamon sugar to inventive matcha glaze. You’ll find healthier choices that prioritize your well-being without compromising on taste. Our donut recipes are baked, not fried. The recipes are easy-to-follow. No more kitchen disasters! Our step-by-step instructions ensure that even beginners can master the art of baking perfect donuts.

Our book also provides time-saving tips so you can whip up a batch of mouthwatering donuts in no time, leaving you with more time to nibble. And, our creations are kid-friendly, turning baking into a delightful and yummy family activity.

 

National Donut Day

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Sweet Reads & A Giveaway For National Donut Day

By on June 3, 2016   /   Book Lists, Fiction, For Kids, For Librarians, For Parents, For Teachers, Giveaways, Nonfiction  

There’s good news if you like donuts (or doughnuts)! Today is National Donut Day—a good excuse to indulge. Even better, some shops traditionally give out free donuts today to celebrate the event.

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Surprisingly, a company with the words Dunkin or Krispy in their names did not invent this holiday. It was created in 1938 by the Salvation Army to honor the women who served donuts to soldiers on the front lines in Europe during World War I. (Fun, but slightly gross, fact: The donuts were often cooked in oil inside the soldiers’ helmets.) While the holiday began as a fund-raiser in Chicago to help those in need during the Great Depression, the tradition of celebrating this delicious dessert continues.

For those of you who want to skip the sugar and calories, but still observe the holiday, here are some great books in which donuts figure prominently. Whether the donuts represent the bond between characters, the pride of a town honoring its founder, or a sought after breakfast treat, they’re a sweet addition to any story.

Read on to find out about these fabulous books and to see how you could win an autographed copy of Lily and Dunkin and a ten dollar gift certificate to Dunkin Donuts.

9780553536744Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart

In this poignant novel that tackles transgender and bipolar issues, Norbert Dorfman, who hates his name and loves donuts, is nicknamed Dunkin by his new friend Lily Jo McGrother, who was born Timothy McGrother. Early in the novel, a heartfelt passage shows readers the importance of donuts in Dunkin’s difficult life: “I wish Dad were here. He loves Boston Kreme donuts, too. I doubt they have donuts where he is. When Dad was in a good mood, he could chow down half a dozen donuts in one sitting. Sometimes a whole dozen, except for the couple Mom and I would eat. And Dad wouldn’t even get big from eating all those donuts, except that one time when they changed his meds and he ballooned like the Goodyear Blimp.” In a starred review, Booklist called the novel a “sensitively written work of character-driven fiction that dramatically addresses two important subjects that deserve more widespread attention.”

9780544340695The Center of Everything by Linda Urban

Soon-to-be-twelve-year-old Ruby Pepperdine is trying to make things right in her life since her beloved grandmother passed away. The story is set in a town founded by a fictional character, Captain Bunning, who invented the donut in 1847. (In a note from the author, Urban tells how she made up the story after reading about Captain Hanson Gregory’s invention of the donut. See The Hole Story of the Donut below for more about Captain Hanson.) Ruby hopes her problems can be solved by a town tradition that involves making a wish on your birthday and tossing a quarter through a hole in a bronze donut held by the statue of Captain Bunning. While donuts play an important role in the plot, according to one reviewer, donuts also figure into the structure of the story. Meg Wolitzer writes that the novel “travels a satisfying, circular path that deliberately echoes the shape of a donut …” The novel earned several starred reviews and has been praised for its depiction of family, friends, and community.

9780147508577Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

In this novel about Albie, an only child who struggles with learning difficulties, donuts represent an important bond between Albie and his babysitter, Calista. Not only does she let Albie use his allowance to buy donuts each day, she also helps Albie forget about the bullies in his life by drawing The Adventures of Donut Boy and Art Girl, a comic based on Albie’s love for donuts and Calista’s love for art. Albie soon learns to take pride in the things he does best, and Calista learns a bit from Albie, too. In a starred review, Booklist called the book “a heartfelt portrait of a child searching for nothing more than a safe place to thrive.”

9780142404157Homer Price by Robert McCloskey

Originally published in nineteen forty-three, this classic tells about Homer Price, who lives in a small town in Ohio called Centerburg. It’s a place where you can win a hundred dollars by eating all the donuts you want; where houses are built in a day; and where Homer can foil four bandits using nothing but his wits and his pet skunk. In one story, Homer’s tendencies to get involved in outrageous incidents find him tending to an out-of-control donut-making machine in his uncle’s diner. Generations of reviewers have praised the humor in these stories.


9781492614012Danny’s Doodles: The Squirting Donuts by David Adler

Something has gone wrong in Danny and Calvin’s fourth-grade classroom. Mrs. Cakel has transformed from a rampant rule-enforcer to a quiet excuse-accepter. Has she been replaced with an alien? Has she undergone a top-secret personality makeover? Danny and Calvin decide there’s only one way to find out what’s really going on: spy. But spying soon leads to a greater mystery filled with dog chasing, jelly-injected donuts, prune butter-included experiments, riddle mania, and more! Booklist wrote that “the book artfully portrays a dynamic friendship between seeming opposites that points to ways of making better choices without losing the fun.”

9780062343208Stick Dog Tries to Take the Donuts by Tom Watson

It’s morning, and the dogs are hungry. So Stick Dog and his team of strays are off on another outrageous canine caper—this time to take the donuts. To snatch some breakfast treats for his hungry pals, Stick Dog will need to stop a moving truck, outfox a man on a telephone pole, and calm down a very caffeinated Karen. But that’s not all. He’ll also need to manage the greatest confrontation in history when his good friend Poo-Poo comes face-to-face with the ultimate enemy—a squirrel.

9780544319615The Hole Story of the Donut by Pat Miller, illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch

Who knew the donut was invented by a New England mariner? Turns out in 1847 the inventor, Hanson Crockett Gregory, worked as a ship’s cook. But hungry sailors complained that his breakfast of sugary fried dough balls had greasy, raw centers. That’s when Gregory got the idea to cut holes out of the center and fry the dough like that. The rest, of course, is pastry history.

To celebrate Donut Day, Donna Gephart has generously donated an autographed copy of Lily and Dunkin, and I’m offering a ten-dollar gift certificate to Dunkin Donuts. For a chance to win one of these prizes, tell us in the comment section about a kids’ book that features donuts or just tell us about your favorite donut before midnight Sunday, June 5. I’ll pick two winners at random and announce who they are on Tuesday, June 7. (Continental U.S. only, please.)

Dorian Cirrone has written several books for children and teens. Her middle-grade novel, The First Last Day ( June 2016, S&S/Aladdin) is available for preorder. You can find her on Facebook and on Twitter as @DorianCirrone. She gives writing tips and does occasional giveaways on her blog at: http://doriancirrone.com/welcome/blog/

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