Genre: Christmas / Food / Fantasy / Family
Year Published: 1991
Year Read: 2009
Publisher: Rabbit Ears Books
“A Gingerbread Christmas” is one of the holiday classics featured in the Rabbit Ears collection and is about how two living gingerbreads, both of royalty, try to save Christmas in Gloomsburg after the Mayor cancels it. Susan Saint James’ energetic narration along with Van Dyke Parks’ charming music and John Spiers’ illustrations, “A Gingerbread Christmas” is one holiday classic that will never be forgotten.
Susan Saint James’ narration is both energetic and creative at the same time as she uses a New York accent for Hank and possibly an Italian accent for Ginger and Spice, which brings charm to her narration and the story. Van Dyke Parks’ music is charming and beautiful as it sounds like something you would normally hear in many Christmas specials on TV. Van Dyke Parks uses an acoustic keyboard to make the music sound dramatic and cute, which is perfect for the story. John Spiers’ illustrations are cute and creative, especially of the image of the Prince and Princess of Gingerbread, as they look stout and cheerful. Even though the colors are a bit washed out, they still give a comfortable feel to the story.
“A Gingerbread Christmas” is a cute holiday classic about the importance of celebrating the true meaning of Christmas and also getting into the Christmas spirit, no matter how busy one may be. I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since there is nothing inappropriate in this story.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
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