The Gingerbread Man

PreS-Gr 2–A retelling of the classic tale of a cookie come to life who is chased through the countryside after escaping from his human baker. As he runs away, he passes some very stylish animals, all of whom want to eat him. His route takes him past an aviator pig, a sun-bathing cow, a studious horse, and, finally, a clever fox who tricks him into taking a ride across the river and, well, you know…. An easy recipe for a gingerbread man follows with a warning to watch that he doesn’t jump off the cookie sheet. The familiar tale is given new life with the clever and heartwarming illustrations Rodriguez has come to be known for. Fans of her “Chicken and Fox” (Enchanted Lion) wordless picture books will delight in this rendition of the tale. Her anthropomorphized animals enchant readers with their quirky costumes and exaggerated expressions, and youngsters will enjoy uncovering hidden “treasures” while lingering over the artwork. A surefire winner.–C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY