The Gingerbread Boy: Level 2 (Easy-to-Read, Puffin) [Paperback]

Harriet Ziefert (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Easy-to-Read, Puffin

A freshly baked gingerbread boy escapes when he is taken out of the oven and eludes his pursuers until he meets a clever fox.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3?Two easy-reader renditions of classic tales. This format severely limits the retellings to their bare-bones basics. Similarly, Bolam's illustrations in vibrant blue-greens, red-purples, and oranges tell the story but don't expand upon it. Byron Barton used bright colors in his Little Red Hen (HarperCollins, 1993), but he added unique touches to stimulate readers' imaginations. Paul Galdone's versions of both stories are still the best choices for reading aloud.?Mary Ann Bursk, Bucks County Free Library, Levittown, PA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140378189
• ISBN-13: 978-0140378184
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,745 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Series > Early Reader > Puffin Easy-to-Read

More About the Author

Harriet Ziefert was born in New Jersey. She grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, where she attended the local schools. She graduated from Smith College, then received a Masters degree in Education from New York University. "About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year. Ziefert's picture book A New Coat for Anna is about a girl in a bombed-out European city during the months just after World War II. Anna has outgrown her old coat, and her mother trades her few surviving treasures--a watch, a lamp, a necklace, and a porcelain teapot--in order to obtain wool and have it spun, woven, and finally sewn into a fine red coat for Anna. A Horn Book Magazine reviewer stated, "the simple text, based on a true story, carries the narrative along effectively." The book, which was illustrated by Anita Lobel, was chosen as one of ten books to be read aloud by former First Lady Barbara Bush as part of a program promoting reading. Ziefert was invited to the White House for the occasion. The reason Ziefert began writing easy-to-read books was that she felt "they were getting too hard for kids to read in the first grade." She says that she wrote easy-to-read books with seventy-five or fewer words, even ones with fifty or fewer words, "to see how much of a story" she could produce with that limit. She enjoyed the challenge, and cites her book Sleepy Dog as an example. "Sleepy Dog is the most successful book I've ever done, in terms of number of books sold." She's also been working on a developmental program with publisher Dorling Kindersley, made up of books for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Her book Pete's Chicken, which was illustrated by Laura Rader, was reviewed in the New York Times Book Review as "a simple, sweet 'Song of Myself' for children . . . [which] applauds the specialness of every child as it reminds parents of the healing power of just being there for children." Among her other books is a series of easy-to-read books, such as Trip Day and Worm Day, about an inventive science teacher and his rambunctious class of students. Ziefert's book Let's Get a Pet was named an Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children by a joint committee of the National Science Teachers Association and the Children's Book Council. . Ms. Ziefert lives in Maplewood, New Jersey and Lincoln, Massachusetts. She has two adult sons.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect for ESL kids, April 13, 2000

By 

GYKEE "book search" (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gingerbread Boy: Level 2 (Easy-to-Read, Puffin) (Paperback)

As a librarian, I found this version of Gingerbread Boy the most attractive for the ESL kids. The adventures of the Gingerbread boy sounded simple, but impressive to kids aged 4-6. The boy ran and ran and the young readers read and read through the pages of sharp expressions of the faces and the gestures of the old woman, horse or even fox and follow the lines of repetitive, brief words in English. Though the face of the boy is distinctively plain, the young readers simply put themselves into this little plain boy.... My kids request me to read it over and over, and then they read it over themselves. If you have a wonder about "What is reading interest of kids?", this reading experience is rich in answer. In particular, in those Asian areas where "reading with and for the kids" is not a popular practice, this is a good start....ideal for "reading for fun" or "learning for fun" programmes. I highly recommend this book to the parents, librarians and teachers (ESL teachers in particular)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Reader - a review of "The Gingerbread Boy" by Ziefert, December 28, 2005

By 

Pam Tee "Busy Mom" - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Gingerbread Boy: Level 2 (Easy-to-Read, Puffin) (Paperback)

"The Gingerbread Boy" is a Level 2 book. This means that there are "[m]ore words and longer sentences for children just beginning to read on their own". And unlike some other beginning readers, this one actually seems to be at the appropriate level for a new reader.

The words and sentence structure are simple and the pictures provide plenty of clues as to what is going on. The hardest words in this book are: woman, children, farmer and heavy. Because of the repetition however children get used to these words pretty quickly.

The artwork is simple and colorful and both of my children liked this book (boy and girl; 3 and 5) and have asked to have it read over and over.

Since my daughter is*just* beginning to read she couldn't read this Level 2 book herself. Basically the only problem she had was that there were more sentences than she was used to. We overcame this minor difficulty by taking turns reading, and I don't think it will be long until she can do it all on her own.

An example of text follows so you can judge for yourself.

The little gingerbread boy
ran on and on.
He ran past a cow.
"Stop! Stop!"
said the cow.

But the little gingerbread
boy said:
"I have run away from a little old woman
and a little old man.
I can run away from you-I can!"

Four Stars. Ms. Ziefert is an early education expert with actual teaching experience so that the book is on the level it claims to be. The story is a classic that children enjoy reading over and over, and unlike some other readers, this one doesn't suffer from overly simplified language. A Good buy.