This is my last installment of children’s book reviews related to Christmas. The author, Jan Brett, has written many classic tales about this time of year. Although neither one of these books is specifically about Christmas, they do cover winter themes of gingerbread and mittens.
Gingerbread Baby, written and illustrated by Jan Brett
Basic Plot:
This story is a twist on the classic tale of the gingerbread boy. When Matti peeks into the oven while baking a gingerbread boy, a wild gingerbread baby hops out and leads the entire town on a chase. Meanwhile, we see through side drawings that Matti builds a gingerbread house, which he eventually uses to catch the gingerbread baby.
Why You’ll Love It:
Brett’s illustrations are uniquely layered and beautiful. There is one main drawing which spreads across two pages as well as side illustrations, showing what else is happening in the story at the same time. The side drawings offer great opportunities to make predictions with children. These drawings bring to life classic European winter scenes. As far as the story is concerned, it’s a fun version of the classic which doesn’t end with the gingerbread boy being eaten.
Best Ages:
Preschool and early elementary
The Mitten, written and illustrated by Jan Brett
Basic Plot:
This is a retelling of a Ukrainian folk take. Nicki convinces Baba to knit him white mittens, but she is afraid he will lose them in the snow. Sure enough, he does lose one mitten. While he is playing, animals creep into the mitten to keep warm. The animals keep getting bigger and bigger, but the mitten stretches to accommodate even a bear! When that bear sneezes, all the animals fall out and the mitten is thrown into the blue sky where Nicki finds it just in time.
Why You”ll Love It:
Again, the side drawings are very fun for prediction questions. As the animals get bigger and bigger, children get excited about how they can possible fit. It’s wonderful to expose children to other cultures and this is a perfect way.
Best Ages:
Preschool
There are many other wonderful Jan Brett books to explore. These are great starters, but are by no means all she has to offer. Isn’t it great to find a special children’s author?
As always my book reviews are both honest and unsolicited. If you decide to buy these books online, please use the links I provided to ensure that I get a small commision. I recommended them because they are wonderful and I’d like to share them, but it is nice that there is a program which enables me to be rewarded for referrals.
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