Published: 2025
Series: Donut Squad #1
Author & Illustrator: Neill Cameron
Genres: Humor, Graphic Novel
Audience (Grade Levels): 2-5
Number of Stars: 5-Stars
Goodreads Link: Donut Squad: Take Over the World
Triggers: None
Review By: Heather Turner
Publisher’s Summary
Hey you! Yes, you! Do you like DONUTS?
Well, you’re in luck! Because here’s a BRAND-NEW, addictive, laugh-out-loud series from comics genius Neill Cameron!
Ever 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, secretly plotting Donut Squad’s doom!
Brought to you by comic powerhouse The Phoenix, this hilarious new series features all the characters from the comic strip that readers know and love. It’s full of crazy humour and mouthwatering full-colour illustrations that will keep readers going back for seconds!
Review
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy.
I picked this one up because, honestly, how could I resist a graphic novel about donuts plotting world domination? The premise alone is enough to grab the attention of middle grade readers, and Neill Cameron absolutely leans into the absurdity.
One thing that surprised me was the format. I was expecting one continuous story, but instead the book is made up of short comic strips and connected vignettes featuring the members of the Donut Squad. Once I adjusted my expectations, I found myself enjoying the fast-paced humor and getting to know the different donut personalities. Sprinkles, Jammyboi, and the rest of the squad each have their own quirks, and the ongoing rivalry with the bagels is wonderfully ridiculous.
The whole time I was reading, I kept thinking about Super Pancake by Megan Wagner Lloyd and the Pizza and Taco series by Stephen Shaskan. It has that same off-the-wall energy, quirky food-based characters, and delightfully chaotic humor that makes those books such favorites with middle grade readers. If your students love Super Pancake or Pizza and Taco, I have a feeling they are going to devour Donut Squad. It has that same “I have to hand this to another kid” kind of appeal that keeps graphic novels circulating nonstop in school libraries.
The artwork is bright, energetic, and packed with visual jokes. There are so many little details tucked into the panels that kids will enjoy going back through the pages to catch everything they missed the first time. I also appreciated the drawing activity at the end, which encourages readers to create their own donut characters. I can already picture students wanting to invent their own members of the Donut Squad.
This is exactly the kind of graphic novel that reluctant readers gravitate toward. The short stories make it easy to pick up and read a few pages at a time, and the humor is silly without trying too hard. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, visual gags, and just enough chaos to keep readers turning the pages.
As a school librarian, I know this is the type of book that will disappear from the shelves almost as soon as it arrives. Fans of Dog Man, The Bad Guys, Super Pancake, Pizza and Taco, and other humorous graphic novels are going to have a blast with this one. If your readers enjoy goofy humor, expressive illustrations, and stories that don’t take themselves too seriously, Donut Squad: Take Over the World! is an easy recommendation. Just don’t be surprised if you suddenly find yourself craving a donut while you’re reading.
Classroom & Curricular Connections
- ELA / Visual Literacy: The short-vignette structure and panel layout offer an engaging way to introduce reluctant readers to comic storytelling, character development through visual cues, and interpreting visual humor alongside text.
- Art / Creative Writing: The included step-by-step drawing activity serves as a bridge for blending visual art and character creation, inspiring students to explore personality building through graphic design.
- Extension Activity: Pair this title with a “Create Your Own Donut Squad Member” workshop or library station. Using the drawing prompt at the end of the book, students can design their own pastry character, assign them a unique personality quirk, and write a one-page comic strip showing their contribution to the squad’s world-domination plans.
- Diversity & Representation: The story promotes inclusion and creative thinking by showcasing a diverse cast of uniquely quirky characters who work together despite their wildly differing personalities, showing readers that distinct individual traits add value to a group.
Readalikes
- Pizza and Taco series by Stephen Shaskan
- Super Pancake series by Megan Wagner Lloyd
- The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey
