The Gingerbread Man: Carol Jones There are many things that can be taught through the creativity and stories of children’s literature. It is a key way to break the barrier between children and adults allowing them to connect over a good book that they can both relate and learn something from. I chose to critique the book The Gingerbread Man by Carol Jones. Jones takes the “you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man” story and redefines it by bringing in Mother Goose characters from different stories. She accompanies this story with illustrations that hold a unique style of art. This book is a unique children's book in my eyes. It has redefined the classic story of the gingerbread man in a way that includes other classic Mother Goose story characters: Humpty Dumpty, Little Boy Blue, The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, The Grand Old Duke of York, and Little Miss Muffet. I enjoy how not only does Jones bring these characters into the …show more content…
When analyzing this definition of a “liberal art” while reading the book, there is no lesson that shows itself on the surface. As I began to view it in a deeper more philosophical state of mind, I see a comparison between life and the gingerbread man’s determination not to be eaten. I began to view each character as a different obstacle in life that tries to stop you from doing what is best for yourself. For the gingerbread man, that is not being eaten so he can live his life, for us it may be our dreams or goals. As the gingerbread man continues to surpass each character/obstacle that arises, in the end he is tricked by the sly fox. We all in our lives encounter the sly fox. Whether that be a friend or stranger, we must continue to run away from their negative intentions and run toward our