Best Gingerbread Books for Storytime (Preschool, Kindergarten, First Grade)

Looking for gingerbread-themed books that keep preschool and early elementary groups engaged during storytime? Check these out!

The Gingerbread House Jack’s Family Ate (2023)

By Kelly DiPucchio · Illustrated by Nate Wragg · Published by Orchard Books
This delightful, vibrant read-aloud is a modern take on the nursery rhyme and cumulative story “The House That Jack Built.” As each family member munches on a part of their gingerbread house on Christmas Eve, their apartment unravels into silly chaos. Will there be any treats left for Santa? Kelly DiPucchio is a master of fast-paced rhythmic verse and Nate Wragg’s illustrations brilliantly bring the tale to life. A must-read for holiday time!

Hansel & Gretel (2020)

By Bethan Woollvin · Published by Peachtree Atlanta
I love all of Bethan Woollvin’s fractured fairy tales and this is an excellent one to feature for gingerbread! The monochromatic illustrations and dry text pair perfectly, and it is a great choice for introducing how stories can be told from different perspectives. Hansel & Gretel’s naughty antics fascinate kids, and the ending always leaves them speechless! Woollvin pulls no punches, and her slightly dark humor prompts great discussion for kids ages 5 and up.

The Three Bears’ Christmas (2007)

By Kathy Duval · Illustrated by Paul Meisel · Published by Holiday House
Another fractured fairy tale option, in this story we visit the three bears (of Goldilocks) on Christmas Eve. They hang their stockings, bake gingerbread cookies, and head out for a snowy evening stroll. But when they return they discover that someone gobbled up their gingerbread, sat in their chairs, and rumpled their beds! Who could it be?

A Cookie for Santa (2014)

By Stephanie Shaw · Illustrated by Bruno Robert · Published by Sleeping Bear Press
A cute twist on “The Night Before Christmas” told in the same meter, a Gingerbread Boy contemplates his impending doom of becoming Santa’s snack. But when two puppies wreak havoc in the house, the Gingerbread Boy steps up and helps save Christmas. Sweet illustrations and brilliant rhyming verse make this one a fluid read-aloud choice.

Maisy Makes Gingerbread (1999)

By Lucy Cousins · Published by Candlewick
In this sweet book Lucy Cousins’ beloved Maisy takes children through the process of making gingerbread cookies! I love how this book goes over each step from mixing ingredients, to rolling out the dough, cutting out the pieces, putting them in the oven, cleaning up, and sharing the cookies with friends! Rich with opportunities for pantomime and great for sequencing.

Ten Tiny Gingerbread Men (2018)

Published by Tiger Tales
This cute book features pages with peek-through die cut gingerbread men. It begins with 10 then gradually as each one departs for one reason or another (a-la Five Little Pumpkins) there are less and less gingerbread men. The text is in verse and can loosely be sung to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” if you so desire!