sugar, spices, and everything nice – that’s what these books are made of! Here is a list of some of the best gingerbread man book variations for preschoolers. better run and catch them while you can!
The Original Recipe – Gingerbread on the Go
gail yerrill’s gingerbread man
The original classic story of the gingerbread man comes in a baker’s dozen different varieties. some end with Cookie’s death when she tries to cross the river on the back of a hungry fox, while in other variations, the fox tricks Cookie by pretending that she has a hard time hearing him. This one has cute illustrations and a thick cover, which is great for holding up to the wear and tear of the classroom!
You are reading: Gingerbread man books for preschool
Extend Learning: Using cookie cutters and paint, encourage students to stamp cookie cutter patterns onto brown paper.
Lisa Campbell Ernst’s Gingerbread Girl
This story is a sassy and sweet continuation of the original story. the gingerbread girl is a clever cookie and although she mimics her brother’s antics, she doesn’t come to the same terrible end.
Extend Learning: Using various shapes, set up a decorating station where students can decorate their own paper gingerbread people. For added durability and reuse, laminate the pieces and place them on a table as a centerpiece.
gingerbread girl puts on animal cookies by lisa campbell ernst
In this delicious sequel, the gingerbread girl gets a taste of her own medicine when she befriends a wild pack of animal crackers. but will she be able to save them from the cunning and hungry fox?
Extending learning: Each animal comes with a separate poem, perfect for a guessing game! Read the first three lines of the poem to the class and let them guess which animal is speaking!
the gingerbread man on the loose at school by laura murray
This clever cookie is on the loose at school and missing her students! what mischief will he do? Part of an entire series of gingerbread man standalone books, the author elicits giggles and smiles when the roles are reversed, and the gingerbread man is the one trying to catch the students!
extend learning: host a classroom scavenger hunt, complete with clues around the school and gingerbread treats waiting for students at the end.
janet squires gingerbread cowboy
This wild west game brings a cowboy twist to the original classic! Decked out in a full cowboy outfit, this spicy cookie sneaks out from an entire cast of Southwestern characters.
Extend Learning: Lead students in a “compare and contrast” activity to discuss the differences and similarities of the two stories.
jan brett’s gingerbread baby
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fans of jan brett know that his beautifully illustrated stories contain side panels with story clues. this story is no exception! matti (of the mitten) opens the oven to take a look at the gingerbread before it’s finished baking, and a gingerbread baby comes out! Cleverly told with a twist at the end, the author uses new rhymes to freshen up the classic tale.
Extend the learning: Encourage students to examine the pictures on the sides of each page to see if they can predict the ending.
jan brett’s gingerbread friends
In a sequel to gingerbread baby, the sassy cookie wants to make friends of her own. this time, instead of story clues, a recipe for delicious gingerbread cookies appears on the side panels. but maybe the recipe is also a clue to the ending?
Extending Learning: Make the recipe using the book as a guide to create a tasty treat in the classroom. (As always, double check for food allergies and sensitivities in the classroom before beginning any cooking activities.)
more gingerbread variations
robert dennis gingerbread bear
A woodsy theme is central to this twist on the classic. a loving mother bakes a gingerbread bear for her daughter…and readers can guess what happens next.
Extending learning: try this super soft gingerbread dough in the sensory area with some cookie cutters!
maribeth boelts’ ginger puppy
This easy read explores what happens when a gingerbread puppy breaks free and runs through the neighborhood.
gingerbread man 2: what happened next? by stephen dixon
A delightful sequel to the original tale, the author continues the story to find out what happened after the fox and the gingerbread man met their fate.
other foods out of control
The gingerbread man isn’t the only food item wanting to wander! try these different stories on the class “menu” for more variety.
the stinky cheese man and other pretty stupid tales by jon scieszka
This is a compilation of stories written for slightly older children. Even the youngest children will laugh with delight at the antics of the Stinky Cheese Man. As a whole, the story may be too much for one session, as it also explores other fairy tales.
Extending Learning: At the beginning of the book, Jack (of beanstalk fame) struggles with the table of contents. it can be helpful to introduce sections of the book to younger readers so they can fully appreciate the humor.
chubby miss by helen ketterman
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In another Southwestern adaptation of “The Gingerbread Man,” the author deftly immerses the reader in a bilingual chase for a mischievous chubby: a fried cornbread pie. students love the repetitive phrase “with a twist, a jump, and a zip-zoom-zip!” The author uses both Spanish and English interchangeably, which makes this book great for introducing new vocabulary and a new language to young learners.
Extending Learning: Once again, there is a recipe for gorditas at the end of the book, as well as a glossary to explore the words in Spanish. sounds like a party in the making! pair it with the runaway omelet for a double dose of fun.
eric’s fugitive omelette a. kimmel
just like the chubby lady, this little tortilla slips past the couple who prepare it to serve it at their taqueria. the daring omelette runs away from all the creatures she passes, only to fall for the ruse of a cunning coyote!
extending learning: listen to the story read by the author here! this book also reinforces counting to 6 as the tortilla cycles through different characters.
ying chang compestine’s runaway rice cake
In this story, it’s Chinese New Year and the Chang family has little to eat. his only rice cake slips away, just like the gingerbread man. however, this story has a sweet and compassionate ending when the boy shares the uncooperative rice cake with an old lady. don’t worry; there is a happy ending!
Expanding learning: As in many of these books, at the end there is a recipe to try the food that stars as the protagonist. adding rice to the sensory table or learning about chinese new year are also great extension activities.
stop that pickle! by peter armor
That silly pickle won’t stop running because it doesn’t want to be a snack! however, other foods join the chase and encourage the would-be captor to eat the pickle. however, there is a twist at the end, and the pickle runs off to live another day.
more gingerbread activities
Tired of chasing your snack? Need to “spice up” the day a little more? try these sweet activities!
check out the gingerbread unit!
still craving cookies? Check out this dramatic cookie shop play resource!
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