The Gingerbread Girl

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Ernst, Lisa Campbell. 2006. The Gingerbread Girl. New York: Dutton Children’s Books.

PLOT SUMMARY:

After much mourning and discussion, the little old woman and the little old man who had watched as their gingerbread boy was eaten by the sly fox decide to bake a gingerbread girl. The younger, wiser sister of the gingerbread boy is here to prove that she can outsmart the same fox that once ate her brother. Taking the same path of her brother, the gingerbread girl proves to all who chase her that she is smarter than her older brother who untimely demise provided a tragic ending to the famous folk tale.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

This positive retelling of a classic tragic tale is an uplifting story of the little sister who rises up and snatches the spotlight for herself. Becoming an instant hero for little girls everywhere, The Gingerbread Girl uses poetry and prose to tell an intriguing story about the gingerbread girl who learned from her brother’s fatal mistakes and sets out extract her revenge as well as prove to all that she is no dumb cookie. As a result of her heroic measures, she brings joy and happiness to her “parents” by providing them with friends and neighbors to keep them from being lonely. This story is entertaining as well as uplifting and inspiring, especially for little girls. The book contains short pieces of poetry that adds substance as well as humor to the story. Teachers and librarians wanting to introduce poetry to young students will find these short pieces intertwined in a lively story a great way to make students interested in poetry. This book can be used in a poetry unit as well if students are studying different types of poetry. Children as well as adults will find this tale amusing and delightful.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

2007-2008 FRA Children’s Book Award

School Library Journal:
PreSchool-Grade 2–Not as substantial a story as that of the unfortunate gingerbread boy, Ernst's confectionary tale is, nevertheless, entertaining. Like her brother, this perky pastry, covered from head to toe in candies, bolts from the oven and outruns a farm family, a pig, an artist, a cow and her calf, a dog walker, and some children at recess–before jumping onto the same fox's back. However, by using a strand of her licorice-whip hair to lasso the hungry creature, the Gingerbread Girl proves that she is one sharp cookie who knows how to turn around a sticky situation. Large, pleasantly appealing cartoon illustrations are set upon pale backgrounds of blue, mauve, tan, and green gingham. Despite the forced rhyme of the protagonist's speech (I can leap past piggy/Like all of the others./This story will not end/Like that of my brother's!) and a couple of unnecessary remarks made by the fox ( Anyone could tell by looking at her that she was an airhead), the story provides enough amusement to make it appealing–but not a first purchase.–Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Booklist:
Everyone remembers the ill-fated Gingerbread Boy, but few know about his smarter sister. After losing the boy, his elderly bakers are loath to try another cookie, but finally they create a gingerbread girl. Sure enough, she runs away "with a leap and a twirl. You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Girl." Inventive, though occasionally clunky rhymes describe the girl as she runs away from a dog walker, an artist, cows, and kids. Then she meets the fox, who slyly agrees to a safe trip ashore. It looks like Gingerbread Girl will go the way of her brother. But she turns out to be a smart cookie with a clever plan, a twist that's the most innovative part of the story. Ernst's familiar art, here placed against gingham-check backgrounds, utilizes the oversize format to best advantage, with large characters leaping out of their frames. On the cover, the candy-studded Gingerbread Girl with licorice-whip hair stares boldly out at readers. Kids won't be able to resist following her inside. Ilene Cooper