Jan Brett books are known for detailed illustrations. The Gingerbread Baby is no exception. Each page shows not only an illustration of what is happening, but a decorated border that looks like cookie decorations or cookie molds. Some of the pages have a side illustration that reveals what else is happening in the story.
This is a different version of the classic story of the gingerbread man. On a cold day, a young boy named Matti decides to make gingerbread. He opens up a worn looking cookbook with old-fashioned writing on the cover to a page that says “Gingerbread Boy”. He measures and mixes and shapes a gingerbread boy. Even though the recipe warns against it, he can’t resist taking a peek in the oven. Out jumps a gingerbread baby. The baby runs past Matti’s mother and father, he rides a tabby cat, and he outruns the dog. The illustrations show the parents and animals chasing after the gingerbread baby. They also show Matti calmly opening up the cookbook again. The Gingerbread Baby somersaults across some goat’s backs, and outwits two girls. Back in the house, Matti stirs, mixes, and shapes the dough and places it into the oven. This time he doesn’t peek. And we learn that Matti has made a house.
The Gingerbread Baby keeps running from his pursuers taunting them to “Catch me if you can!”. He jumps off a bridge and lands on a chunk of ice. Once he comes to shore a fox is waiting, ready to eat him up. Thankfully the fox licks his chops and misses the Gingerbread Baby.
My children loved how mischievous this gingerbread baby is. He tweaks noses, wrestles cats, ties girl’s braids together and keeps running. Eventually though the Gingerbread Baby knows everyone is getting closer and he is not “as peppy and proud”. He smells something familiar and follows his nose into the woods. There he sees a gingerbread house with doors wide open. The Baby runs inside. The illustrations show Matti picking up the house and bringing it home. The pursuers only find a few crumbs in the snow and assume the worst for the Baby. Matti knows different though. On the last page is a gingerbread house shaped flap. When you open the flap you find the Baby singing about how lucky he is to live in the house Matti made for him.
This is a great book to share with children during Christmas or anytime in the winter. They are sure to enjoy this sweet version of the classic tale.
Also See:
A Primary Lesson that Addresses Different Types of Learners
The Christmas Alphabet – Robert Sabuda
Coming Through the Blizzard – Eileen Spinelli