Jim Aylesworth: Books * Books * Books

The Gingerbread Man by Jim Aylesworth Illustrated by Barbara McClintock (Scholastic Press, 1998) A perfect book to share together. Juliet and "Dad" A lively rendition of a favorite tale. In Aylesworth's version this classic, and ever popular tale, McClintock has dressed the elderly couple in Victorian clothing and puts them in a wonderful kitchen complete with a wood-burning stove. The rhythmic text has the gingerbread man running away from the old couple, a butcher, and a cow and a pig (dressed in clothes) until he meets the classic fate and is devoured by the fox while the others look on. A lively animated version that adds one more dimension to the many other editions available. In 2017 this title was chosen to be included in Scholastic/Cartwheel Books new series of Storyplay books. From Scholastic: The series is aimed at children ages 3–5, StoryPlay books integrate questions and prompts within stories to further engage kids and the adults who are reading to, or with, them. Each storybook wraps up with activities tailored to the tale, with themes that include drawing, counting, search-and-find, riddles, and imaginative play. Featuring paper-over-board books of varying lengths, the StoryPlay line is comprised of annotated versions of backlist picture books as well as all-new titles."

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year 1998

Starred Review -- "Aylesworth has done a perfect job of shaping the text to read aloud smoothly with good repetitive phrases that ring true, ... McClintock's anthropomorphic animals are wonderfully realized ... The book comescomplete with a recipe on the back cover. A satisfying version in every way." -- School Library Journal

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB) Blue Ribbon Book

Starred Review -- "You may have other versions of 'The Gingerbread Man' on your shelves- make lots of room for copies of this one." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book 1998 -- ."McClintock's depiction of the Gingerbread Man . . .feels contemporary. . . . Children will respond to the sassy, boastful facial expressions and exclamations of the Gingerbread Man. . . .And they will quickly be drawn into the story . . ." -- The New York Times Book Review

Starred Review -- "The familiar tale of the cookie that outruns a series of countrified characters until he is outwitted by a fox, finds a fresh makeover ... The lively rhythm of the narrative keeps the beat for the parade of runners and propels readers along with it. By the time the baked boy reaches the handsomely turned-out fox reading under a tree, most readers will be utterly disarmed-and may well wish to come back again and again." -- Publishers Weekly

Included in The Cooperative Children's Book Center. CCBC Choices 1998.

Even More Acclaim

"...a chanting, rhythmic text and vital narrative pictures, this version of the popular folktale will be a favorite for storytelling with young preschoolers." -- Booklist, 1998.

"A traditional cumulative tale, which Aylesworth endows with a lively pace, is illustrated in a decidedly old-fashioned style, giving the book the look and feel of a reproduction of an old edition." -- Kirkus Reviews, 1999.

"Energy and vigor run through the story as every figure is shown in action. With even a recipe included, this is altogether an old-fashioned and enjoyable version of a favorite tale." -- Horn Book, 1998.

Playthings, May 1998 v96 n5 p28 (4) included this title in the cover story, "Books Jump Off the Shelves" by Donna Leccese. Leccese said, "Scholastic cooks up new 'Gingerbread' -- A new rendition of the classic, 'The Gingerbread Man,' has been cooked up by children's storyteller Jim Aylesworth and illustrator Barbara McClintock for Scholastic and features whimsical animals dressed in period clothing along with a gingerbread cookie recipe on the back cover."