Ginger Bear, by Mini Grey, 2007, New York, NY: Knopf Books for Young Readers. 32 pages. ISBN: 978-0375842535.
Age/Interest Level: 3-7 years
Lexile Level: AD800L
Awards: N/A
Reader Annotation: All Horace wants is to eat the gingerbread bear his mother made for him. However, when he doesn’t get the chance before bed time, the gingerbread bear wakes up and is ready to make some friends.
Plot Summary: Horace just wants to eat the gingerbread bear his mother baked, but every time he tries, something comes up. Finally, it’s time for bed, so he carefully places the cookie next to his bed for in the morning. That night, the gingerbread bear wakes up and heads for the kitchen. She attempts to bake herself some friends, but soon the kitchen is in chaos, with a whole circus of cookies parading about. Bongo, the dog, soon comes crashing through, leaving the gingerbread bear to scurry to the safest place she can think of.
Critical Evaluation: This is a really simple story and a lot of its charm lies within the illustrations. They are so sweetly done it is almost sickening. Much of the illustrations feel like watching an annual Christmas cartoon from the ‘70s and the palette of deep blues and browns mixing in with a confectionary rainbow are definitely appealing. Children will love the story with its simplicity but overall wholesomeness. By the end, we’re cheering that the gingerbread bear did not get eaten within the first few pages.
Why Included: This is a very different work in its approach because has the feeling of a dream, except told via cookie. It’s unique and magical.
Age/Interest Level: 3-7 years
Lexile Level: AD800L
Awards: N/A
Reader Annotation: All Horace wants is to eat the gingerbread bear his mother made for him. However, when he doesn’t get the chance before bed time, the gingerbread bear wakes up and is ready to make some friends.
Plot Summary: Horace just wants to eat the gingerbread bear his mother baked, but every time he tries, something comes up. Finally, it’s time for bed, so he carefully places the cookie next to his bed for in the morning. That night, the gingerbread bear wakes up and heads for the kitchen. She attempts to bake herself some friends, but soon the kitchen is in chaos, with a whole circus of cookies parading about. Bongo, the dog, soon comes crashing through, leaving the gingerbread bear to scurry to the safest place she can think of.
Critical Evaluation: This is a really simple story and a lot of its charm lies within the illustrations. They are so sweetly done it is almost sickening. Much of the illustrations feel like watching an annual Christmas cartoon from the ‘70s and the palette of deep blues and browns mixing in with a confectionary rainbow are definitely appealing. Children will love the story with its simplicity but overall wholesomeness. By the end, we’re cheering that the gingerbread bear did not get eaten within the first few pages.
Why Included: This is a very different work in its approach because has the feeling of a dream, except told via cookie. It’s unique and magical.