00000346

Summary:
The Gingerbread Man is hot out of the oven and ready to make an escape from the little old woman and the little old man. As he runs away you here the familiar chant run, run, as fast as you can, you can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man! He avoids various animals and people that would love to eat him until he comes to a sly fox who convinces the Gingerbread man that he can help him cross the river. The fox gains the Gingerbread Man's trust little by little until finally he gets close enough to make his move and eat the Gingerbread Man.

Personal Reaction:
This version of the traditional story is great for children because of its simplicity and pictures. It is also easy to get children involved with the story because of its catchy,repetitious statement run, run, as fast as you can, you can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread man! This makes the story fun to read. It shares a great lesson in trust and strangers.

Extension Ideas:
1. This book can be used to open up a discussion about the dangers of strangers.
2. Discuss with the children sequencing. Go through the events of the story and have the children put them in order.
2. Give each child a baked Gingerbread Man of their own. Have the children decorate the Gingerbread Man with various colors of icing and candies.