Synopsis
Retells in preprimer vocabulary the tale of the run-away gingerbread boy who eludes the hungry grasp of everyone until he meets a fox.
Marilyn Courtot - Children's Literature
Do you remember the Dick and Jane books? This series by Margaret Hillert harkens back to them. Originally published more than twenty-five years ago, this book and others that she wrote have recently been reissued. These editions have a note to caregivers about the "Beginning-to-Read" series and how to effectively use the books. The closing pages entitled "Reading Reinforcement" contain reading and comprehension exercises/activities. The final page contains a word list and a brief blurb about the author. What a disappointment to those of us who enjoy the language of the Gingerbread Boy. This retelling has been reduced to forth-eight unique words. The ending is left in question, so we do not even have the satisfaction of seeing the naughty cookie being eaten by the clever fox. The text is banal, the illustrations mediocre. I do not think this version of the story has stood the test of time. There are many more engaging early readers including the "I Can Read" and "Step-Into-Reading" series which today's kids would find more interesting. 2006 (orig. 1963), Norwood House Press, Ages 3 to 6.