Horn Book (Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1997)

In a smooth and sophisticated version of the famous tale, this Gingerbread Boy pops out of an oven in an apartment somewhere in lower Manhattan. As he runs down the New York City streets, the arrogant little cookie is chased by his family, a rat, subway musicians, and others. The lively and beguiling illustrations lightheartedly and securely place a traditional tale in a contemporary setting.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

PW said that the author nicely balances """"an unembellished text"""" with """"minutely detailed images"""" in this take on the tale of a prideful cookie. Ages 3-7. (Aug.)

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3--An old nursery favorite with a big-city twist. The Gingerbread Boy gets loose in New York City and is chased by the usual couple and then a hungry alley rat, construction workers, street musicians, and a mounted policeman. The chase leads down a fire escape, through an alley, across a clothesline strung between two high-rise apartment buildings, down into the subway, and through Central Park to the zoo, where the same wily fox, as always, awaits him. Egielski's retelling is straightforward and retains the traditional refrain: "Run run run as fast as you can"--it sounds just right, making a satisfying modern variation. The illustrations, alternating between single- and double-page spreads, adroitly evoke the city setting while giving a solid three-dimensionality and unique individuality to the Gingerbread Boy and his pursuers. This clever confection makes a fine addition to folklore collections, and it comes complete with a gingerbread cookie recipe.--Judith Constantinides, East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

Kirkus Reviews

Egielski (Buz, 1995, etc.) applies his paintbrush to a familiar tale—and transplants it to an urban setting—about the gingerbread boy who is too enticingly delicious to avoid pursuit, and too naive and inexperienced to recognize a foxy deception. The gingerbread boy, baked to life by the childless wife of a childless man, believes that he is such hot stuff that he immediately calls himself Gingerbread Man and dashes first to escape family life and then to elude those who would devour him. A rat, some construction workers, street musicians, and a mounted police officer join the growing crowd of pursuers. Enter the fox, who promises to bear the boy to freedom across the lake. Readers know the rest, but this bright, winning update, with its vast city backgrounds and a gingerbread boy recipe (that, unlike the story, allows the cookie to come out of the oven before it is subjected to icing) enclosed, makes the chase seem new. (Picture book. 3-7)"