The Gingerbread Man: (First Reading Level 3)
Usborne English Readers Level 1 Series
What’s inside...
A delightful retelling of the classic tale of a gingerbread man who leaps out of the oven and outruns several pursuers, only to meet his match in a clever fox. Each title in this series is a classic story or fable, retold with simple text to delight and inspire any child who is just beginning to read.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the Gingerbread Man didn't want to be eaten?
What would you do if you were a character in the story chasing the Gingerbread Man?
How do you think the Gingerbread Man felt during the chase?
What can we learn from the different reactions of the characters in the book?
If you could change the ending of the story, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use different voices for each character when reading the book to make the story more dynamic and engaging.
Pause at key moments in the story to ask your child what they think might happen next, encouraging them to use their imagination.
Discuss the concept of cause and effect shown through the Gingerbread Man’s decisions and the consequences he faces.
Relate the story to personal experiences by asking your child if they have ever been in a similar situation as any of the characters.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. This helps them connect visually and emotionally with the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The Gingerbread Man story teaches responsibility through the character of the little old man and woman who bake the Gingerbread Man and must look after him.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of taking care of their belongings and the consequences of neglect or irresponsibility.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: As the Gingerbread Man chooses to run away from various characters, it teaches that actions have consequences.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that their decisions can lead to different outcomes, encouraging them to think before acting.
Example Lesson: Stranger Danger
Explanation: The tale illustrates the risk of trusting strangers through the Gingerbread Man's misplaced trust in the fox.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be cautious about who they trust and the importance of staying close to familiar and safe environments.
Example Lesson: Listening to Advice
Explanation: Throughout the story, various characters offer the Gingerbread Man advice which he ignores, ultimately leading to his downfall.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the value of listening to advice from parents and teachers, emphasizing that sometimes others may have more experience.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: The Gingerbread Man's encounters present him with various challenges, depicting the theme of problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to apply critical thinking skills to overcome obstacles in their own lives, just like the Gingerbread Man attempted to do.