Books
9780525422594
She's fast. She's feisty. And she outsmarted that sly fox in her boisterous debut. Now the gingerbread girl is back with a new batch of friends - the animal crackers! They don't want to listen to the Gingerbread Girl's advice, even though she is one smart cookie. But they'd better watch it, or they'll all become treats for that trickster fox.
Extension: Compare different versions of the Gingerbread Man story. A few to try:
The Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Campbell Ernst (the precursor to this one)
The Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett
978 - -31-619-7663
This collection rhymes for young children is out of print, but still available from many online sources.
978-162-672-9353
It was supposed to an exciting, yet normal trip to the circus.
Dangerous stunts, flying acrobats, and even the clowns Uncle Doug hated so much―Owen is itching to see all of it. But when his little sister Zoe, a self-proclaimed animal whisperer, accuses the ringmaster of mistreating the circus animals, the last thing Owen has time to do is to watch the show! With the help of some magical animal crackers that can transform him into a bear, a hippo, or even a hamster, Owen sets out to rescue his kidnapped uncle and sister from the hands of the scheming ringmaster and his circus lackeys.
This one is 112 pages, but it's a graphic novel. And, also a...
Movie
Currently available on Netflix. Watch the movie after reading the book, and compare the two. Which do you like best?
Math
Which kind of animal cracker do you like best - regular, chocolate, or frosted? Pick up a bag of each and sample, then invite your friends and family to try. Record everyone's decisions, and create a graph showing the results.
Cooking
Animal crackers crushed up make a great crust for any sort of trifle or cheesecake. I plan to try this one from Cravings of a Lunatic. If you don't want to give your kids anything with coffee in it, use any cheesecake filling, or even a simple pudding. (And then maybe make the mocha one for yourself!)
Art
The original animal crackers box had a string on it. Do you know why? It was so parents could hang a box on the Christmas tree as an ornament/gift! Many holiday gifts over the years have doubled as decorations. Research the history of a holiday your family celebrates, and look at how families decorated before things were readily available for purchase. See what you can make for the next time that holiday comes around.
Social Studies
The original box also had the animals pictured as being in circus cages. A few years ago, the company changed it to show the animals roaming free. Why did they do that? Research and discuss the changing attitudes towards animals in the circus. Can you find other examples of where animals were used as entertainment in ways that was harmful to them?
Writing
Now that you have read some different versions of The Gingerbread Man, make up your own! Pick something your family bakes or cooks frequently, and imagine the adventures it would have if it came to life. Don't forget to illustrate it!
PE
Here is a hysterical game both to play and to watch: Cookie Face! To play, two players each place an animal cracker on their foreheads, then try to get it to their mouths using only their facial muscles and by tilting their head. Hands behind your back! If a cookie drops to the floor, you can grab a new one and start over, but then you have to put your hands behind your back again. Have the video camera ready!
Science
Can you put animal crackers in water without getting them wet? Try this simple experiment from Rookie Parenting.
Game
I love games where the object is to eat things. Print out copies of this Animal Cracker Bingo sheet or make up your own. Cover each space with an animal cracker. Have the caller pull other animal crackers from the bag and call them out. If they call out a lion, eat one of the lions on your card. If they call out a giraffe, eat a giraffe. The winner is the person who gets a reverse BINGO - none in a row!
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