The Gingerbread Man Loose on the Fire Truck

June 1, 2013
When the class goes on a field trip to the fire station, the Gingerbread Man is carried along in a child's backpack. He falls, unexpectedly, onto the snout of the firehouse dog, Spot the Dalmatian. In emergency mode, the well-known cookie streaks athletically through the firehouse, with the hungry pup at his heels. "I'll run and I'll dodge, / As fast as I can. / I'm not a dog bone! I'm the / Gingerbread Man!" He runs past his classmates, who are trying on all the firefighting gear. The chase continues with an up-close view of the truck, the crew's tightly made beds, the five-alarm chili cooking in the kitchen and, of course, the fire pole. When a true alarm blares, the little man jumps onto the fire truck for more adventures. Murray's vigorous rhythms stay at full speed throughout, keeping up with Lowery's action-filled illustrations. This duo debuted with The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School (2011), and this sequel doesn't disappoint. With illustrations done in pencil, screen printing and digital color, the new makeover for the speedy gingerbread man succeeds despite a completely stereotypical fire station. Thankfully, female Fire Chief Anne rewards the little hero and his classmates with helmets from Company Four. This rapid-fire reboot of a traditional favorite will be a requested read-aloud for high-energy listeners. (Picture book. 4-7)

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June 1, 2013

PreS-Gr 1-In this follow-up to The Gingerbread Man Loose in School (Putnam, 2011), the same cute cookie, now a classroom staple, is sneaked into a backpack so that he can go on the class field trip to the fire station. When the station's Dalmatian threatens to eat the little Gingerbread Man, he begins a mad scramble for safety: into the kitchen, onto the truck, and down the pole. While he eventually evades Spot, he is soon hanging onto the truck's ladder for dear life as the crew heads to a fire. Full of ridiculous bravado, the little fellow even manages to wrestle a bucking hose and put out the fire, saving the day and earning himself a tiny fire helmet from Company 4. Stylistically reminiscent of Mo Willems's work, Lowery's images vary between panels and full-page art. This silly tale, written in rhyming couplets, will make a fantastic read-aloud.-Jennifer Miskec, Longwood University, Farmville, VA

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