Are you looking for a new Christmas picture book for your students that is not only entertaining, but hilarious? Are you looking for an adorable story that has vibrant illustrations, wonderful adjectives, brilliant figurative language, and delightful descriptive word choice? Then look no further! Gingerbread Man’s Christmas Escape by Tami Parker is going to be your students’ favorite book this Christmas season.
If the author sounds familiar, it should be. She’s my mom! Tami Parker, the founder of Obsessed with Learning, elementary school librarian, and author of two books, Radiator the Snowman and More & More Microwave S’Mores, has published another book! What is truly unique about Gingerbread Man’s Christmas Escape is that it is kid-tested and approved! She read her book to each of her classes in her library, from kindergarten to fifth grade. They absolutely loved this comical and adventurous book and didn’t even know she was the author until the end. Sticky notes over certain pages made it possible.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Embark on a delightful Christmas adventure with Gingerbread Man’s Christmas Escape. As our cherished Gingerbread Man eagerly awaits a cozy night’s nap in a warm oven, little does he suspect that a mischievous mouse has plans to make him the highlight of her Christmas feast! Will he be able to escape in time?
Join Gingerbread Man and his unexpected companion on a madcap chase through a very famous household this Christmas. Can you guess who’s the cook? Will he outsmart the hungry mouse and make it to safety, or will he become the star of a merry holiday feast?
Find out in this enchanting story that adds a fresh and funny twist to a classic holiday theme. The story unfolds with a delightful blend of modern illustrations and the timeless charm of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, creating a hilarious and heartwarming tale. Join us in this whimsical tale of twists and holiday cheer.
6 Classroom Activities for Gingerbread Man’s Christmas Escape
After reading this adorable picture book, here are 6 Classroom Activities you can complete with your students.
Compare & Contrast
This book was inspired by the timeless poem, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. The rhythm, rhyme, and meter take on the same cadence as this familiar classic.
For instance, the opening line to Gingerbread Man’s Christmas Escape is, “Late one cold winter night, drifting all through the house…The smells of ginger were stirring especially bothersome to a mouse.”
The opening line to ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas is, “‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”
Another similarity is found when in ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, it says,
“And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!”
In Gingerbread Man’s Christmas Escape, it says,
“First she whistled, then shouted, calling out my many names: Now, Ginger, now Marshmallow, now Nutmeg, and Frosted Ice. On Brown Sugar, on Molasses, on Butter, on All Spice!”
There are just as many differences as similarities too. From the general storyline to the modern-day conveniences mentioned in the book such as a smartphone and a computer, this contrasts against the 1800s setting of the classic poem. The wild-goose chase of the mouse running after the gingerbread man and the exciting chaos of how that chase destroys the house, shows a stark difference against the peaceful nighttime whimsy of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Read with your students Gingerbread Man’s Christmas Escape and also, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Collaborate on a Venn Diagram, T-Chart, or a Spider-Web Map to detail the many similarities and differences. Older elementary students or younger middle schoolers can write a juxtaposition paragraph detailing the contrasting items.
Write Your Own Version- Free Template
This activity ties in with the first one just mentioned. Once students gain an understanding of the similarities of each of the above readings, they can create their own version of a ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas poem. In fact, you can tell students that there have been many books inspired by this timeless poem, from ‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey to The Night Before New Year’s by Natasha Wing. There is even a ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Eve by Bee Andreen.
Students can use this FREE template to help them write their own version of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. The template follows a similar rhythm and cadence as the classic poem. Students can choose to write about any holiday or event. It doesn’t have to be about Christmas.
Identify Sensory Language & Adjectives
Gingerbread Man’s Christmas Escape is full of interesting adjectives and delightful descriptive, sensory, and figurative language. Collaborate with your class on identifying the various types of descriptors as you re-read the story together. Some examples include “candied mansion,” “piping-hot pan,” and “mighty leap.”
The sensory language jumps off the page when the various Christmas candy is described such as, “peppermint shaped roses,” “chocolate covered cherries,” and “powdered sugar.”
Figurative language abounds with the use of similes and metaphors such as, “Her little mouth drew up like a bow,” and, “With the spirit of a tiger,” and, “More rapid than bald eagles,” and, “As white as snow.”
Discuss the impact of descriptive language and how it really develops a story nicely and helps with imagery. Also, discuss the impact if there were no adjectives or sensory words. Make a master list of all the descriptors in the book by completing a scavenger hunt of sensory and figurative language, as well as adjectives, in the book. Take it a step further and have students complete a scavenger hunt of adjectives in the classroom as well.
Another activity students can complete to practice descriptive language is to provide them with lists of common nouns. For each common noun, have them brainstorm adjectives and sensory words to match. They can keep these lists in a notebook to be a Descriptive Dictionary, so to speak, that they can refer back to when writing.
Writing Activity
Searching for the perfect engaging and fun writing activity? Introducing the Gingerbread Man’s Christmas Escape Writing Activity – a delightful companion to the enchanting story of Gingerbread Man’s hilarious adventure! This engaging writing activity is designed to spark creativity and develop essential writing skills in a festive and fun way.
Inferences
The author did a wonderful job by developing extra details and clues for a background story within the illustrations. On the first reading, you may not pick up on it, but on a second or third reading, you’ll see the details, like how the “old woman” is actually….SPOILER ALERT…Mrs. Claus.
Mrs. Claus also owns a baking company called Gingerbread Baking Co. that appears on her computer, and the house the mouse and gingerbread man are destroying is Santa’s home, since Mrs. Claus is his wife.
In one illustration of the hallway, there is a picture of Santa, Mrs. Claus, and a friendly snowman sitting on a table. In another picture, you can see that Mrs. Claus is either FaceTime Santa or taking a picture of her cookies for her baking company. Santa is also calling her on her cell phone in another image.
Use this picture book to teach inferences to your students. Tell them there is a secret story hidden within the illustrations. Tell students they are detectives and they must look for clues to this hidden story. Have them piece the clues together to draw conclusions about the second story in the images.
Use our Inferencing Freebie to help your students organize their thoughts.
Gingerbread Escape Brought to Life
Many schools will conduct a live Gingerbread Escape around the holidays, with clues throughout the school, leading students to figure out where an escaped gingerbread cookie could be. I always love to witness these. Even though I would teach older grades, I loved the joy on the primary grade students’ faces as they raced through the halls following the clues to where their gingerbread man could be.
A Gingerbread Grand Escape Adventure can be employed on a smaller scale within a classroom, even for older students. Start with reading Gingerbread Man’s Christmas Escape, and then create clues specific to your classroom. Each clue might involve a riddle that needs to be solved or a challenge that needs to be completed such as a worksheet on adjectives. Other clues might lead to fun stations such as decorating a gingerbread cookie or drawing a detailed gingerbread house for their missing gingerbread man. An adventure like this encourages cooperation, collaboration, and teamwork. Also, it is a ton of fun!
BONUS!
In our Etsy store, we have a Gingerbread Man’s Christmas Escape Craft Kit. This kit comes with a signed copy of the picture book, paint, paintbrushes, and adorable wooden pieces from the book’s illustrations to paint.
Embark on a magical journey with our enchanting “Gingerbread Man’s Christmas Escape” DIY Kit and Signed Children’s Book. This delightful package offers a unique blend of creativity, festive joy, and a heartwarming story that will captivate young minds.
DIY Christmas Craft Kit:
• Washable paint in 12 vibrant colors.
• 2 paint brushes for creative expression.
• 2 paintable characters from the book, Gingerbread Man and Mischievous Mouse, engraved and made from basswood.
• Wooden engraved cell phone with Santa’s name. Made from basswood.
• 3 bookmarks, 2 featuring themes from the book, and 1 personalized bookmark.
• Simple instructions for an enjoyable DIY Christmas Craft experience.
Size: The average size of each completed wooden-painted item is approximately 6” x 5″ x .114″ inches.
Capture the magic of the season with this charming DIY kit and signed book. It’s not just a craft—it’s a memorable Christmas experience! This educational gift would make a fantastic present this holiday season!
Conclusion
Tami Parker’s Gingerbread Man’s Christmas Escape is more than just an adorable Christmas story; it’s an invitation to embark on a magical holiday adventure! By combining this story with various writing, literacy, and hands-on activities, children will immerse themselves fully in this enchanting and fun book. Gingerbread Man’s Christmas Escape and these activities not only celebrate the joy of the holiday season, but also fosters a love of literature and creativity that will last long after the decorations come down.
