How to Catch a Gingerbread Man

How to Catch

by Adam Wallace, Andy Elkerton (Illustrator)

From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling How to Catch series comes a new, fantastical gingerbread man book that makes a funny Christmas gift for kids! Do you have what it takes to catch the Gingerbread Man? The famous storybook character has magically come to life and leapt from the pages during story time! Follow along as the Gingerbread Man runs loose in a bookstore with the help of Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes, Peter Rabbit, nursery rhyme characters, and more! If you set the right traps, you might...just might be able to catch this wily cookie and finish the fairy tale! Filled with zany STEAM traps, a silly story, and fun illustrations, this hilarious picture book is the perfect read aloud for parents, educators, and kids ages 4-10! This fun-filled winter book is a perfect stocking stuffer, white elephant gift, or Christmas gift for kids! When the storyteller starts to read,
"Run, run, as fast as you can,"
I'm off in a start, and you'll have to be smart
To catch me, the Gingerbread Man! Also in the How to Catch

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Childrens, Holiday, Storytime, Adventure, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 3, 2021

About the author

Adam Wallace is a New York Times, USA Today and Amazon Bestselling author of the How to Catch series!
Adam's passion is to bring excitement and energy and humour and joy to children (of all ages!) through his books and videos.
He spends his non-writing time thinking about writing and going to as many live music shows as he can. He's also teaching himself piano, and plays golf too.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that this one added literary classics to the mix.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

While many of the How to catch a book text may sound clunky, the text, energy, whimsy of how to catch a gingerbread man is a perfect library book, inspiring readers to look into the other stories that are mentioned. If you can't catch the Gingerbread Man, you may find yourself your catching some new book ideas.

The books' illustrations are some of my favorite.
This would also be an ideal storytime book for libraries for December/January, but also for Fairytale Day or Mother Goose Day.
The book incorporates many classic fairytales and children's storybooks.

How can you catch a gingerbread man?

[McKenzie Cooley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute idea but your kids will need to nursery rhymes to best understand it.

[Kami Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need a cute book to read this Christmas, this is the perfect book. Honestly any of the “how to catch” books are great!

[Happy LittleReaders · Rating 5 out of 5]

“How to Catch a Gingerbread Man” is a delightful picture book by Adam Wallace. During a lively storytime reading of The Gingerbread Man, the famous cookie character magically leaps from the oven and embarks on an adventure. However, this time is different. The Gingerbread Man leaps out of the book’s pages and runs away! Determined to catch him, the kids set various traps, but each time, a fairy tale character comes to the rescue. For instance, Alice and the Mad Hatter guide the Gingerbread Man out of a maze, while Robin Hood shoots arrows at a frying pan to keep it in place. Despite their efforts, the Gingerbread Man eludes every contraption, until the children’s tears change the course of the story. He jumps back into the book, ensuring a happy ending.
Reason for recommendation: This delightful picture book brings the classic tale of the Gingerbread Man to life in an exciting and unexpected way. Children will be captivated by this magical story full of action and excitement.

[Little Batties · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delicious (pun intended) twist on a old tale. The rhyme scheme was fun and flowed well with the story, which I believe would keep kids interested as you read. The illustrations are funny and should garner so laughs as well.

Honestly, this was absolutely adorable, and I can see younger students loving it too. However, it also full of references to many other children's books and fairy tales which makes this a great option for older students as well. So, whether you are looking for something cute for your younger students for the holidays or you want to ease older students into researching allusions, this story could be for you.

[KinderWithBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea of the "How to Catch" books, and some are definitely better than others. This one falls in the middle of the pack. Like many children's books, I'm sure this one is more enjoyable for me than the average kindergartener, because they're not going to get all of the references to other classic book characters (not even the well-read ones). My four-year-old nearly wet her pants, she was so excited about the Wizard of Oz page, but there were several that went over her head. Some of the rhymes are clunky, but it will still become part of my Gingerbread in December repetoire.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations using bright colors. Since it is the gingerbread man the kids have set traps which means they must had had an idea that story time could be exciting today. One of the children spot him hiding near one of the library shelves and the race is on. Who do you think will win this chase?

Suggested for age 4 and up, I was surprised at the number of different characters that reference a variety of books. Definitely a book that you could use as the children get older. I am not sure who "the man who never grew is.

The chaos and the traps are very inventive.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's story time at the bookstore and the children have all gathered around to hear a reading of the Gingerbread Man. To everyone's shock, the Gingerbread Man runs out of the book. The children set traps to catch him but he gets help from other characters like Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Sherlock Holmes. Readers who enjoy stories that reference characters from children's classics with a dash of metafiction will appreciate this clever rhyming picture book.

"Run, run as fast as you can.
Can you catch me?
I'm the Gingerbread Man!"

[Sarah Alamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are so proud of you for reading "How to Catch a Gingerbread Man"! This fun book teaches us that even when something seems really hard or tricky, we should keep trying and not give up. You learned that being creative and thinking of smart new ideas can help solve problems - just like the kids in the story! Remember, sweetie, when something feels difficult at school or while playing, you can try different ways until you find what works. You're becoming such a wonderful reader, and we love watching you learn and grow every single day!

[Ms. McKelvie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the inclusion of different fairy tale/literary characters. It was a cool touch and could tie in well if you read any of those stories! Like the other books in this series the illustrations are colorful and well done.
Students could create their own trap in a stem activity. Or as a class brainstorm other ideas that might work. They could also write their own how to catch book, or one continuing the Gingerbread Man’s adventures.
Grades: PreK-2

[Jillian]

No Rating

Read as an e-book

How to Catch a Gingerbread Man is a cute picture book. I've seen these stories floating around for a while. Turns out, they are way more fun than I expected. The Gingerbread Man jumps out of the book and makes his children audience chase him around the bookstore for their story time. And he doesn't make it easy for them, especially with help for his literally buddies. It's a super engaging story, filled with iconic characters.

[Clwseattle · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to Catch a Gingerbread Man is saved by its bright colors. I wasn't enamored with the story, especially all the random characters that popped up with little reference. The Gingerbread Man doesn't read as the feisty character in the original tale, but more as a snotty trickster. Young kids will love the bright, but often confusing illustrations.

A generous 3 Stars for How to Catch a Gingerbread Man. After reading five How to Catch books, these stories just aren't for me.

[Manda Marigold · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the silly story of children trying to catch an escaped gingerbread man during storytime at the library. The children tried setting various traps using ideas from classic storybooks such as Alice in Wonderland but to no avail. Eventually, the gingerbread feels guilty for making the children sad and returns his storybook to give the children a happy ending. Overall, This goofy story is a pleasurable read for Christmastime

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a group of children and friends enter a book store for story time to hear a story, the Gingerbread jumps from the pages and leads the children on a merry chase as they try to catch him, but with a little help from other characters from several books, the Gingerbread remains elusive from his would be catchers.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it)

This might be my favorite of the entire series since it's so literary based. I also think there are less awkward rhymes in this one than most of the others. The only thing that felt off was the Harry Potter mention (Frogwarts?). All the other stories mentioned were way older and most were fairy tales so HP just seemed out of place.

[Teacher Librarian Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to read to children, it introduces them to other classic stories and the joy of reading while following the gingerbread man. Colourful, busy illustrations to be enjoyed by children and analysed to add meaning to the story. Great for librarians to read as part of storytime.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't really like the original gingerbread story, but I really didn't care for this. On each page, the gingerbread man goes through a different literary classic. I just didn't feel this was well done.

[Nanny B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!! The Gingerbread Man ran as fast as he can...right out of the book! He gets help from other characters that are from other books to escape the traps the children set to catch him.
Great rhyming book and illustrations.
💜📚💜📚

[Elena Maddox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not about Christmas! Good thing I read it before cataloging. :)

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever references to other stories but younger children may not get all the references.

[Nadina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rhyming felt a little awkard in parts. The illustrations are cute though.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how they incorporated lots off other book characters into the story

[SB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was awesome! It takes place in a library and is the quite the adventure. We loved it.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s the gingerbread man on the run but all the “traps” are themed after different books.

[Donna Pierson-Pugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 3 year old grandson was too young for this take off on the Gingerbread man folk tale.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable

My granddaughter loves this story! She also wants to know who all of the other characters are. Its a great story to introduce little ones to the classics.

[Rick Christiansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Surprisingly I didn't care for it.

[Rahel Feerow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sasha said this is a great book.

[Sandi Prescott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed all the literary references, but I don't know if most of today's children will recognize them.