Reviews
Scroll down to see reviews, testimonials, and press for my new book Bagel Finds His Center.
Libraries and classrooms seeking lively read-alouds about self-worth, individuality, and embracing differences will find this a tasty addition to their shelves.
- The Prairies Book Review
Bagel Finds His Center by Allyson Fisher is a delightful story that serves up an adorable lesson on loving exactly who you are.
- David Jaggart for Readers' Favorite
A sweet, giggle-inducing read, Bagel Finds His Center is ideal for preschool-to-early- elementary kids navigating comparison and self-acceptance
- The Children's Book Review
The Children's Book Review
What to Expect: Self-acceptance; comparison and body positivity; friendship; rhyming picture book; food characters.
Bagel Finds His Center is a rhyming picture book about a plain bagel who learns to embrace what makes him different after feeling out of place among the frosted, filled, and sprinkled treats at his new bakery home.
When Bagel arrives at the Corner Cafe, he's thrilled to meet his fellow pastries—until he catches his reflection and realizes he has no filling, no swirl, no frosting, just an empty hole where his "belly" should be. Convinced something is missing, he rallies his new friends for a wild search through the bakery, from flour bins to freezer shelves, determined to fill the gap he feels inside. It's only when a wise new friend helps him slow down that Bagel starts to see his "emptiness" in a whole new light.
Allyson Fisher's rhyming text has a lot of charm and bounce, with playful wordplay (the "outie- and innie- journey," the pun-heavy bakery banter) that reads well aloud. The core message—that being different isn't a deficiency—comes through clearly and warmly, and the "whole-grain, fiber-filled crust" detail is a clever, nutritionist's touch.
Jan Schmidt's illustrations are fabulous. Each pastry character has an expressive, distinct personality conveyed through simple eyes and limbs, and the bakery setting is rendered with warmth and specificity—right down to labeled sugar tins and a "Corner Café" mug. The full-spread scenes (the playground, the pantry, the sink) are busy in the best way, rewarding repeat lap reads as kids spot new details, and the party finale bursts with satisfying, confetti-strewn joy.
A sweet, giggle-inducing read, Bagel Finds His Center is ideal for preschool-to-early- elementary kids navigating comparison and self-acceptance, and it would pair especially well with a classroom or storytime unit on self-esteem or body-positive themes.
—The Children’s Book Review
The Prairies Book Review
Fisher’s charming picture book follows Bagel, the nervous newcomer at the Corner Cafe, where an assortment of colorful treats has him questioning what makes him special. Birthday Cake has sprinkles, Cinnamon Bun boasts a swirl, and other pastries come adorned with chips, jelly, and eye-catching colors.Bagel, meanwhile, sees himself as plain and, more troublingly, empty in the middle. Convinced that finding his center will finally make him complete, he sets off on an exuberant search with his new friends.
Fisher turns Bagel’s literal hole into an accessible metaphor for the insecurities sparked by comparison. Buoyant rhymes, food-themed wordplay, and an energetic quest keep the message light, while Jan Schmidt’s expressive, candy-colored illustrations fill the spreads with warmth, humor, and personality. The supportive community of treats reinforces the story’s themes of friendship and belonging. Deluxe production touches, including gold foil and spot UV finishes on the cover and a double-sided dust jacket that unfolds into a pun-filled poster, add considerable gift appeal.
Libraries and classrooms seeking lively read-alouds about self-worth, individuality, and embracing differences will find this a tasty addition to their shelves.
Reader's Favorite
Bagel Finds His Center by Allyson Fisher is a delightful story that serves up an adorable lesson on loving exactly who you are. The story centers on Bagel, a plain pastry at the Corner Cafe, who feels completely left out while sitting next to the colorful birthday cakes and swirly cinnamon buns. Bagel is very self-conscious about the big empty hole right in the middle, especially after he notices a donut filling her space with tiny treats. Convinced he needs an object to fill his center, he sets off on a wild bakery quest with his pastry pals, sifting through flour piles and digging into sugar to find the perfect middle to fill his space. Will this little bagel ever realize that his empty space is exactly what makes him special?
Allyson Fisher’s Bagel Finds His Center is a children’s book that turns a cozy bakery display case into a wonderful playground for self-acceptance. The best part of reading this story is the brilliant double meaning of the title, which teaches kids about inner peace and mindfulness through literal baking concepts. Jan Schmidt’s playful illustrations add so much to the bakery setting, painting a beautiful picture of the cozy bakery home. The characters are very charming, from the encouraging Cream Puff, who explains the science of baking, to the supportive Blueberry Pie, who helps lift Bagel out of his sadness. Fisher’s writing style is bright, cheerful, and filled with a lovely sense of discovery that keeps the story moving at a great pace for little ones. It is a heartwarming tale that reminds young readers that staying true to yourself is the yummiest choice you can make.
—David Taggart for Reader's Favorite
Testimonials
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
❤️😍 A wonderful surprise!
At the Corner Café, the little bagel was so eager to join the pastries in the display case…
An adorable children's book—told entirely in rhyme—about friendship and sharing, featuring beautiful illustrations!
The characters are charming and fun.
A real favorite of mine—and it even made me hungry.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This book was an absolute delight! The illustrations were beautiful and brought the story to life on every page. The story itself was sweet, engaging, and easy for young readers to follow.
I especially loved the message at the heart of the book. By the end, Bagel discovers that he does not need to change to be special. He already is, just as he is. It is a wonderful reminder that our differences are what make each of us unique.
This would be a great read for children who sometimes feel like they do not fit in or who are learning to embrace what makes them different. A charming story with a meaningful lesson that both kids and adults can appreciate.