Tough Cookie

by Kate Louise, Grace Sandford (Illustrator)

When this gingerbread man was baked, someone forgot to put in the ginger. He’s made of eggs and cinnamon and flour and butter and sugar, but he’s missing a key ingredient! Without ginger, the gingerbread man feels like he’s not really a gingerbread man at all! He can’t be sold in the bakery, so he lives at the back of the store. And there he causes all kinds of trouble.

This gingerbread man eats the baker’s decorating candy. He throws sprinkles across the counter and squirts frosting on the walls. It’s not long before the baker has had enough of the gingerbread man’s mischief and orders him to leave. The gingerbread man realizes he’ll have to change his ways, and the baker decides to help. He teaches the gingerbread man that his ingredients don’t make him who he is—it’s his character that defines him. So the gingerbread man begins to help the baker decorate the other gingerbread men and women. He helps prepare them and makes sure they find their way on their journey from the oven to the bakery shelf. And he always makes sure to add the ginger.

This is a story about being kind and finding happiness through helping others. Sandford’s cute illustrations accompany Louise’s sweet story, and children won’t be able to resist its delightful charm.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Food

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 3, 2015

About the author

Kate Louise is picture book author of THE UPSIDE-DOWN FISH, PIERRE THE FRENCH BULLDOG RECYCLES, and TOUGH COOKIE. She lives in the UK with her family, her partner, and a cocker spaniel called Freddie. She graduated from university with a first class degree in Fine Art Painting. It was during this course that Kate rediscovered her love of reading, prompting her to try a new creative angle and experiment with writing.

Reviews

[G.R. Mannering · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so inventive and wonderful. I'm a picture book fan (and an adult) and I thought it was a delight. The gorgeous illustrations are so bold and fun, while the writing is clear and concise. I read this to my niece and she loved it. A wonderful picture book that takes pride of place in my collection.

[Jeri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good life lesson book for kids.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's not bad. I just have issues with a living cookie making other living cookies that are destined to be eaten.

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story. One thing I wondered about: specifications say 32 pages, but my eBook appeared shorter. I will check the print version. There is an additional Tough Cookie book that came out this year (2018)

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic picture book about a very tough cookie.

When I heard about this book I knew I had to have it, and it took a bit, but now I have it and I can honestly say that this is just a perfect book. Full of laughter, some sad moments, some moments where I was cheering for our cookie.

Our tough cookie, you wonder why he is like this? Well what happens when one is made and one is missing a key ingredient! He cannot be sold, he is different from his friends (other cookies). Instead of sulking, this cookie just does anything and everything to make the life of others as bleh as his is. Of course, not a good idea, but I could understand it. He just wanted people to care about him, to like him, and for him to be accepted.

The stuff he does was mostly harmless, and it made me laugh. I didn’t know cookies needed food to live. :)

The ending was really cute and it made smile a very big smile of happiness. Yay!

I do wonder why the cookies came to life, and other objects didn’t. Maybe some Ingredient X? Like in the Powerpuff Girls?

The art is gorgeous, I just love Grace Sandford’s art. It is playful, fun, and colourful and I loved how real the cookies looked. Especially our tough cookie, he just had a whole character that you could see shining in the art. And all the food stuff (since well, I wouldn’t want to eat the cookies that live), oh my, I just wanted to eat them. Those doughnuts. <3

All in all, this is one book I would highly recommend. Kids, but also adults, will adore this book and will love tough cookie.

Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Megan Rang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story that my children will enjoy. It has the gingerbread man being made without ginger and feeling bad. Because he feels bad he gets into trouble instead. Then he is told by the baker he can decide how he acts. It isn't what makes him that determines if he is good. A nice meaning to a story for kids.

[Patricia Marvin Hilfiker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through a goodreads give away. It is a cute story about a gingerbread man with no ginger. The pictures are cute and the story is one my grandson will really enjoy having grandma read to him.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in the giveaway last month. I read it to my 2 year old niece and she giggled throughout the entire book. The illustrations are very colorful. Very unique story.

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens when a gingerbread cookie has no ginger in his body?

[Kary]

my recipe collection is growing by leaps and bounds thanks to Goldylocks Catering

[Jackie O · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fluffy murder mystery set on Colorado ski slopes. Quick read. I skipped over the recipes included.

[Mollie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good lesson to teach kids at storytime.

[Margarita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to be posted very soon!