Welcome to the inaugural edition of Snackology’s book club. Don’t worry, this book club comes with donuts. (All book clubs should come with donuts, right?) When I was picking up my cold brew at Dunkin’ the other day, I couldn’t pass up The Little Holiday Munchkin book when I spotted it on the counter.
I also couldn’t pass up a three-pack of Holiday Sprinkle Munchkins either.
To accompany the book and seasonal donut holes, Dunkin also released an animated version of The Little Holiday Munchkin, with The Office and Mindy Project star Mindy Kaling narrating the short.
“Dunkin’ Munchkins are a favorite in my house, so this was kind of a no-brainer for me,” Kaling told Dunkin’. “What I love about this story is how it celebrates the overlooked things that end up being the most special. I’m a sucker for an underdog — and for the holidays — so this book is definitely earning a spot in our bedtime story rotation.”
The short really is super cute. I had spotted it on social media before I found the book at my local Dunkin’, so my brain was already primed to make The Little Holiday Munchkin an instant purchase.
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The Little Holiday Munchkin, which it looks like you can’t order in the Dunkin app, goes for $9.99. The Holiday Sprinkles Munchkins are available in a 3-count ($2.09), 5-count ($3.09) and 10-count ($4.19).
My thoughts
I’m a sucker for anthropomorphic food. Slap some cartoon eyes and a smile on a donut, and I’m immediately on board. The illustrations in The Little Holiday Munchkin absolutely nail this aesthetic. (I wish an author and illustrator were included for this book and short, but those details are missing. Please, please don’t be AI.)
The book itself is short, with Kaling delivering her narration in the short in a precise minute-long runtime. The story is cute, and if you’re a fan of Jon Klassen’s I Want My Hat Back, you’ll probably chuckle at how the book ends.
“The holidays at Dunkin’ are all about creating moments of joy,” Jill Nelson, chief marketing officer at Dunkin’, said in a statement. “We love that one of our tiniest treats gets to be the hero of the season. The Little Holiday Munchkin is a reminder that joy can come from the smallest things — whether it’s a donut-hole treat, a moment of kindness, or a story shared together — all while supporting the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation and the incredible work it does for children and families.”
I told myself that I was also picking up a 3-count of the Holiday Sprinkle Munchkins to include in some photos for this book review, but who was I kidding? I wasn’t going to pass up this seasonal flavor. As a Western New Yorker, I’m drawn to Tim Hortons’ Timbits, but there’s no world in which I’d ever pass on an order of Munchkins. Especially if those Munchkins are coated in holiday sprinkles.
Snack score
The Little Holiday Munchkin: 🍪🍪🍪🍪 (4 out of 5 cookies) Holiday Sprinkle Munchkins: 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪 (5 out of 5 cookies)
While not edible, The Little Holiday Munchkin is a fun addition to your holiday library. Sales from the book also support a good cause, with Dunkin’ donating “$2 from every book sold, up to $550,000” to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation.
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Snackology is written and produced by Bill Kuchman. Copyediting by Tim Kuchman.
The Omnicosm founder. Popculturology, Deep SNL Thoughts and Snackology writer. A Rochester, N.Y., native now living in the Washington, D.C., area. Won’t pass up a Genny Cream Ale.
One of my favorite snacks will soon be available in Seasoned Pretzels varieties and a Zesty Ranch flavor. (Is it sacrilege to mix Hot Buffalo with Zesty Ranch?)
