The Gingerbread Man: (Flip-Up Fairy Tales)
Flipped Fairy Tales Series
What’s inside...
The Gingerbread Man: Flip-Up Fairy Tales is a charming retelling of the classic folktale by Jess Stockham. It features an interactive flip-up element that enhances the reading experience. In the story, a gingerbread man escapes from an old woman and an old man and encounters various characters while boasting 'Run, run as fast as you can! You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!' His overconfidence leads to his downfall when he trusts a fox to help him cross a river. The book includes vibrant illustrations and flip-up surprises that encourage prediction and discussion, making it a delightful read for young children.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Gingerbread Man
Discussion points
What would you do if you were the Gingerbread Man?
How do you think the Gingerbread Man felt when he was running away?
Why is it important to be careful about who you trust?
What would you have done differently if you were one of the characters in the story?
How do you think the story would change if the Gingerbread Man had made friends?
Tip: Role play these questions
Utilize expressive reading to bring the characters to life and enhance the storytelling experience.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next at pivotal points in the story to keep them engaged and thinking ahead.
Encourage your child to draw parallels between the story's moral and their own experiences to deepen their understanding.
After reading, have your child retell the story in their own words, which helps reinforce comprehension and memory.
Discuss the consequences of the Gingerbread Man's decisions to highlight lessons in decision-making and trust.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'The Gingerbread Man,' the titular character must navigate his environment and make choices to avoid various dangers. This element of the story demonstrates the importance of taking ownership of one’s actions and decisions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be responsible for their own safety, such as looking both ways before crossing a street or making smart choices when interacting with strangers.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: As the Gingerbread Man makes decisions throughout the tale, each action leads to a distinct consequence, ultimately teaching that actions have outcomes.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this by understanding that their choices, like doing their homework or being kind to others, will lead to positive or negative results based on the nature of the action.
Example Lesson: Cleverness and quick thinking
Explanation: The Gingerbread Man uses his wits to evade his pursuers, showcasing the value of thinking on one's feet.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to use their intelligence and creativity to solve problems they encounter, such as figuring out how to resolve conflicts with peers or tackling challenging tasks at school.
Example Lesson: Trust and gullibility
Explanation: The Gingerbread Man’s ultimate trust in the fox leads to his downfall, serving as a cautionary tale about whom to trust.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of being cautious about who they trust and encourages them to seek advice from trusted adults if they're unsure.