The Gingerbread Man [Hardcover]

Eric A. Kimmel (Author), Megan Lloyd (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

The author of Nanny Goat and the Seven Little Kids offers a new version of the classic folktale about a runaway gingerbread man.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Run, run, as fast as you can and catch this version of the gingerbread man! Eric A. Kimmel is an education professor who has become one of the most respected retellers of traditional folk tales in the United States. In addition to The Gingerbread Man, his successes include the series of Anansi folk tales and Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, a Caldecott Honor Book. In this wonderful new take on the never-stale gingerbread man story, the cookie in question (with three peppermint buttons) gets eaten by the wily fox, which is sometimes upsetting to younger preschoolers. Happily, the last page shows a new cookie sheet lined with gingerbread men (and women), and the clever rhyme suggests that the gingerbread man bounces back from his unfortunate plight. "For gingerbread men return, it's said, / When someone bakes some gingerbread." Seasoned illustrator Megan Lloyd's flat and funny gingerbread man bounces along as cheerfully as the text. Cookie lovers everywhere will relish this old-fashioned tale with a happy ending--especially if you bake a batch of gingerbread people afterwards! (Ages 3 to 6)

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-- Kimmel brings humor and warmth to the retelling of this spicy classic. His text has a fast-paced rhythm that is perfect for read-alouds or storytelling. The deft prose has a strong narrative, good dialogue, and a fine chorus from the Gingerbread Man himself. Lloyd's illustrations work in tandem with the text to create verve and motion while maintaining a "fresh-from-the-oven" appeal. Her engaging art works beautifully with Kimmel's retelling to keep both eye and action moving across each page, thus enhancing the story's pace. This is a welcome addition to the ranks of gingerbread men who line library shelves--even Galdone's classic telling (Clarion, 1983) will seem a bit dull compared to this version. Lloyd's illustrations remain striking both closeup and at a distance. A book that's sure to hold every reader and story-hour audience through to a most satisfyingly delicious ending. --Elizabeth Hanson, Chicago Public Library
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (March 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823408248
• ISBN-13: 978-0823408245
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 10.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't Read It Enough To My Little One - LOVE IT ****, September 10, 1999

By 

Annette G. Rodriguez "Annette" (New York City, New York USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gingerbread Man (Paperback)

I recall this book and bought it because it was the exact one I read when I was a child. I love how it repeats and how the photos are just so colorful. I read this one every night to my daughter and my favorite part is the ending when the Gingerbreadman gets eaten but it's not sad because they remind us how they come back again when we bake more gingerbread men. It's a must for anyone who loves the classics.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Rollicking Rendition of the Traditional Tale, September 24, 2011

By 

Shanna A. Gonzalez "eyelevelbooks.com" (Gaithersburg, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gingerbread Man (Paperback)

Here is another delicious version of the classic story of the little Gingerbread Man who leaped from the oven and led a merry chase. Eric Kimmell's snappy, fast-moving text and rhyming, rhythmic taunt draw readers into the story, leading them from scene to scene up to the traditional ending -- which is softened by an additional rhyme, showing a troop of gingerbread people leaping from a fresh cookie sheet. Megan Lloyd brings Kimmell's text to vibrant life, updating the traditional scene: the elderly couple do their baking in a modern country kitchen, and the farm animals pursue the running treat past a modern-style beehive, an abandoned pickup truck, and other "country style" debris. This version strikes a happy medium between Galdone's classic rendition and Egielski's more modern twist on the story. It's a rollicking read, suitable for preschool and elementary audiences.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love all things gingerbread,,,,,, May 12, 2008

By 

Leona Peters - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gingerbread Man (Paperback)

I love all things gingerbread because it is a link to my past and my future! I have recipes from my grandmother that I made for my grandson at age 18 months! He loved everything about the gingerbread man at age 20 months before he could even clearly say the word. His love for gingerbread continues - h e is now a wonderful young man (ALMOST 20) years In college and still requests gingerbread cookies. How good does life get when generations converge!

I love this version because life goes on! and in this version of the gingerbread man, life goes on!