I know many of you are not allowed to celebrate holidays in the classroom so I created this list of my favorite Gingerbread man books that are not Christmas related.
A Gingerbread theme allows for plenty of fun and learning without any mention of the jolly old elf or his reindeer.
The Best Gingerbread Man Books for Preschool
The Gingerbread Boy, by Richard Egielski
A modern, urban version of The Gingerbread Boy that takes place in New York City and culminates in Central Park.
The Gingerbread Cowboy, by Janet Squires
What kind of (former) Texan would I be if I didn’t include this book on the list? A western version of the classic tale, this little cookie says “Giddy up!”
The Runaway Tortilla, by Eric Kimmel
Children will love reading about Tortilla’s exploits through the desert in this hilarious spin off of the classic tale The Gingerbread Man!
Senorita Gordita, by Helen Ketteman
A wildly entertaining and fast paced version of the Gingerbread man with a Tex-Mex twist – yum!
The Gingerbread Boy, by Paul Galdone
From author Paul Galdone, best known for his ink and wash illustrations that grace the pages of his many classic fairy tales books.
The Gingerbread Girl, by Lisa Campbell Ernst
I was thrilled when this book was finally published because my female students had been asking “Where’s the gingerbread girl?” for years! Beautiful, colorful illustrations grace the pages of this book that sends a positive message to kids. Note: There are two negative words that you may want to omit if you choose to read this book aloud to your class, they are dumber and airhead.
Gingerbread Man Book List
The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale, by Ying Chang Compestine
Want to add a little more diversity to your classroom? Try this rich cultural twist on a classic favorite.
The Gingerbread Man, by Eric Kimmel
From Eric Kimmel, the master of the traditional folktale- this version follows the classic plot but gives the reader a glimmer of hope at the end.
The Cajun Cornbread Boy, by Dianne de las Casas
I love these types of twists on a classic tale. This version features a Cajun cornbread boy on the run; you can’t catch him because he’s full of cayenne!
The Gingerbread Man, by Jim Aylesworth
The illustrations by Barbara McClintock are just darling and depict the gingerbread man wearing a snappy blue jacket, hat, and yellow pants. My students always remember this version when we read Peter Rabbit in the spring. They never fail to point out the similarity between Peter’s jacket and the illustrations in this version of the gingerbread man. I also like how the gingerbread man replies to the pleas of his pursuers with another rhyming verse.
Check out this research-based, playful learning unit in our curriculum shop!
Gingerbread Man Bundle
15 of our most popular Gingerbread Man resources for one low price! Math, literacy, fine motor, science, circle time, dramatic play, and more
The Runaway Rice Cake, by Ying Chang Compestine
This Chinese New Year version of the book delivers a powerful message about sharing and compassion.
Books About Gingerbread for Preschool
The Gingerbread Man, by Karen Schmidt
No surprises here, this classic tale boasts visually appealing images and simple, straightforward text. I have had this one in my collection for years and years and it never fails to deliver.
Gingerbread Baby, by Jan Brett
Jan Brett’s beautifully detailed illustrations paired with this sweet (no pun intended) and unique version of the classic tale makes this a must read for everybody, I love it just as much as the kids!
Little Red Gingerbread, by Greening
What could be more fun than a fairy tale mashup? Combine The Gingerbread Man with Little Red Riding Hood and you’ve got the recipe for a hilarious read-aloud that will capture the attention of your littles as they notice overlapping story lines.
The Gingerbread Pirates, by by Kristin Kladstrup
Ahoy! In this pirate themed version, Captain Cookie sets off to rescue his Gingerbread crew from the most notorious cookie eater of them all – Santa Claus!
Gingerbread Books for Pre-K
The Gingerbread Bear, by Robert Dennis
An adorable twist on the classic tale of The Gingerbread Man set in a national park. This version is perfect for comparing characters and settings between different versions of the story.
Gingerbread Man Loose in the School, by Laura Murray
Find out what happens when the Gingerbread Man cookie is left behind by the school children who created him. Who will chase him now?
Gingerbread Friends, by Jan Brett
Beloved author Jan Brett brings her magnificently detailed illustrations to life again in this tale about friendship – with a gingerbread twist.
The Gingerbread Man Loose at the Zoo, by Laura Murray
That sneaky little Gingerbread Man is on the loose again, this time he’s at the zoo! Follow along on his adventure as he rescues animals while looking for his classmates.
Gingerbread Books for Little Learners
Matzo Ball Boy, by Lisa Schulman
This inclusive and fast-paced spin on The Gingerbread Man is a fun introduction to the Jewish culture. With its fantastic illustrations and funny plot twists, your little readers will love learning about this rich cultural tradition.
The Gingerbread Man Loose on a Firetruck, by Laura Murray
The Gingerbread Man tags alone on a class field trip to the fire station, but what happens when he falls out of the backpack he’s riding in? Find out how he stays one step ahead of the hungry Dalmatian that’s chasing him through the fire station.
Ninjabread Man, by C. J. Leigh
Your little ninja lovers will adore this fun and unique twist on the Gingerbread Man story. Find out if the Ninjabread Man can outsmart the Ninja Bear, Ninja Snake, Ninja Mouse, Ninja Fox, and the Sensei!
The Best Gingerbread Books for Kids
The Gingerbread Man, by Tiger Tales
Finally, a fairy tale to enhance vocabulary! This version of the classic story uses new words to describe every situation in which the Gingerbread Man finds himself.
The Plan for the Gingerbread House: A STEM Engineering Story, by Darci Pattison
Looking for a way to incorporate STEM into your Gingerbread Unit? Your kids will have a blast building their own gingerbread houses to accompany this book.
BONUS BOOK: How to Catch a Gingerbread Man, by Adam Wallace
Think the Gingerbread Man is a fun story? Then you’ll love this unique version where the Gingerbread Man is chased by classic storybook characters, as he runs loose in a bookstore.
More Gingerbread ideas
