Toasty - by Sarah Hwang

Book Synopsis

A deliciously funny story about Toasty, a piece of bread who wants to be a dog, for fans of Arnie the Doughnut by Laurie Keller and Everyone Loves Bacon by Kelly DiPucchio.

Toasty loves dogs--so much so that he'd like to be one. He knows there are some differences--most dogs have four legs, but Toasty has two arms and two legs. Some dogs sleep in dog houses, but Toasty sleeps in a toaster. All dogs have hair and fur, but Toasty has neither because he's made of bread. In spite of these differences, he decides to go to the park to play with the dogs but runs into trouble when they want to eat him. Lucky for Toasty, he is rescued by a little girl who has always wanted a dog but can't have one because she is allergic. Toasty is the perfect dog for her.

Sarah Hwang's inspiration for Toasty came from her childhood experience as an immigrant and her discovery that you find your best friends when you're willing to just be yourself. Her playful art for Toasty came to mind when she saw a piece of toast that reminded her of the way she used to draw dogs as a child.

Review Quotes

"Smart, subtle, yet laugh-out-loud wit that will delight both children and adults, plus abundant cartooning talent, mark this stellar debut from a young author to watch. Hwang even manages nuanced character development -- for a piece of toast!"--The New York Times Book Review

★ "What bliss! . . . Toasty's tale is as uplifting as they come, and if Toasty wants to be a dog, we say to readers, 'Stay!'"--School Library Journal, Starred Review

"Toasty joins the ranks of the picture-book world's most endearing characters . . . . Sweet enough to eat!" --Booklist

"Incredibly absurd but delightfully so, Hwang's paintings play up the goofiness of the premise . . . Readers will root for this doughy hero." --Kirkus Reviews

"Newcomer Hwang's quirky plot has the meandering joy of a small child's storytelling logic, while acrylic paint, colored-pencil, and digital pictures give the triumphant Toasty a sketchbook immediacy as he engages in doggy doings."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Sarah Hwang is a recent graduate of MICA. She lives in New Jersey. This is her first picture book.