Looking for the best Gingerbread Man/People picture books? Look no further, because I have rounded up my favorite for you! Below is a snippet of each book along with fun gingerbread activities for your little ones and students! Click on the links for more details.
Disclosure: Some of the links are affiliated links, meaning that I will earn a commission if you click through the links and make a purchase.
The Gingerbread Man by Jim Aylesworth and illustrated by Barbara McClintock- Read the retold classic story of The Gingerbread Man of how he was made and outran everyone except for one very clever and sly mammal. This story will set the stage for all the renditions of the Gingerbread Man including his friends and family.
Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett- This adorably written and beautifully illustrated story of the Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett takes readers on a whimsical adventure as the Gingerbread Baby attempts to run away from its bakers and everyone in town just like the Gingerbread Man. However, there’s something special and sweet that is waiting for the baby that even he can’t say no to. Read along to see if the Gingerbread Baby’s fate will be different than that of the Gingerbread Man.
Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett- Now that the Gingerbread Baby is happy and settled in his beautiful and sweet gingerbread house, he longs for adventure and fun and spends his time dancing and prancing in the bakery. When Matti, his baker, is too busy working and unable to play with him, the Gingerbread Baby sets out to the village to find a friend but finds nothing but trouble. After being chased by a mouse, the villagers, and even the sly fox, the Gingerbread Baby runs how to find that Matti once again has some more surprises under his sleeve including some sweet, new friends!
Gingerbread Twins by Renee Hayes and illustrated by Darby Scebold- In this telling, the Fox becomes a baker and whips some his own gingerbread cookies. When his creations don’t pan out as expected, he feels hopeless until a set of gingerbread twins come to life! Will he be able to catch them or do they have some tricks up their sleeve and outfox the fox?
The Gingerbread Man: Loose in the School by Laura Murray and Illustrated by Mike Lowery- The students just baked their own Gingerbread Man and just as he comes to life, they go missing! In this funny and charming story, the Gingerbread Man takes it upon himself to run all over the school to find the missing children with the help of some friendly faces including the principal, nurse, gym teacher, and more!
The Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Campbell Ernst- As if the Gingerbread Boy and the Ninjabread Man weren’t enough, the Gingerbread Girl also has some tricks up her sleeves and attempts her own escape! She may be cute and extra sweet, but don’t underestimate this little sister! She may be the one to show the boys how it’s done to outsmart a fox!
The Ninjabread Man by C.J Leigh & Illustrated by Chris Gall- Chase the Ninjabread Man as he runs away from Sensei and the Ninja Bear, Ninja Snake, Ninja Mouse, and Ninja Fox. Will he get away or will be captured? This is such a hilarious and delightful twist to the original that will make your students giggle, laugh, and want to read it over and over again!
Tough Cookie: A Christmas Story by Edward Hemingway- A fox stumbles upon a sugar cookie bursting out of a bakery and chases him down to devour it. But to his and the cookie’s surprise, the sugar cookie isn’t speedy and, when caught, doesn’t taste good at all. Now that the fox doesn’t want to eat it, what is a sugar cookie to do? This charming story teaches children the importance of self-acceptance and learning to love oneself.
A Gingerbread House by Julie Lavender and Illustrated by Kim Barnes- Making gingerbread houses is a tradition that many families around the world share during the holidays. In this cheerful and rhyming story, a child and her grandfather work together to create a one-of-a-kind creation filled with sweets, memories, and love that will be cherished for years to come! Follow along to see the surprise ending that will definitely make this story even sweeter!
How to Catch a Gingerbread Man by Adam Wallace and illustrated by Andy Elkerton- The classic Gingerbread Man is on the loose again, but this time in a bookstore! Leaping out of a book during storytime, he tries to escape but the children are inventive and create different traps to capture him back. Enlisting the help of some famous storybook characters, he takes on each challenge like a true hero! This book is hilarious, engaging, and filled with STEAM fun for both children and adults!
If you need fun gingerbread and Christmas activities, check out the resources and blog post below!
