Gingerbread is such a classic part of the holiday season, and winter is filled with all kinds of sweet treats that preschoolers love. It’s the perfect time to bring out books about gingerbread adventures, cupcakes, hot cocoa, candy canes, and cozy baking days. These gingerbread and sweet treat stories aren’t just fun—they spark imagination, teach little lessons, and pair perfectly with your Gingerbread and Sweet Treats hands-on activities in the classroom. Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett Fans of The Gingerbread Man will love this twist. Matti bakes a Gingerbread Baby, who runs away just like the gingerbread man. Don't worry this little Gingerbread Baby doesn't face the same fate as the one in the classic tale. Follow-up this fun story by baking or decorating gingerbread cookies with your preschoolers. The Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Campbell Ernst This time the infamous bakers of The Gingerbread Man have decided to bake a Gingerbread Girl! Will she be just as speedy as her brother? Will she be able to outfox the fox? Ask your preschoolers to make predictions based on information from other gingerbread stories they have heard. Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett The Gingerbread Baby returns in a heartwarming story about finding friends. Preschoolers will love the sweet ending and all the tiny details hidden in the pages. Santa’s Cookie is Missing by Clarion Books The mystery of Santa's missing cookie comes to life in this charming Christmas board book, featuring vibrant artwork and decorative die-cut circles with foil and glitter. In this festive mystery, we follow the trail of Santa’s missing cookie. Where did it go? Was it taken? As the story unfolds, readers will discover the surprising truth behind the missing cookie. Hint: it may just involve the family dog... and cat! If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff Fans of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie will love this book from the same author. This series is fun for giving children a taste for cause and effect. Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes by Kimberly & James Dean Missing treats are a concern to be certain. Pete the Cat has discovered there are cupcakes missing...where could they have gone? Follow along with Pete and his friends in this rhyming book as they work to solve the mystery. I'll Wait, Mr. Panda By Steve Antony This is such a fun book to help teach preschoolers about patience. Mr. Panda is cooking up something yummy. His friends wander in curious about what he's cooking, but none are patient enough to wait...except for Penguin. The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia Scarry This scratch-and-sniff book is sure to please! Bear is ready for Christmas and his nose is leading the way! What scents do you look forward to on Christmas? Gingerbread Mouse by Katy Bratun On a snowy winter's night, Mouse is cozy in her bed. Then... crack! A tree branch falls, shattering her home! Now, it’s up to Mouse to find a new place to live in time to enjoy the season. With her determination, cleverness, and a sprinkle of Christmas magic, Mouse discovers not just a new house, but a place she can truly call home. Katy Bratun’s vibrant and detailed illustrations bring Mouse’s search for a home to life, capturing the warmth and festive spirit of her holiday adventure. Little ones will want to snuggle up with this heartwarming story again and again throughout the holiday season. Plus, it includes a delightful recipe for gingerbread cookies! The Gingerbread Man By Kim Aylesworth Run as fast as you can....your preschoolers will be repeating and singing that phrase over and over after they read this classic story of the gingerbread man. A must-read during the winter months. Maisy Makes Gingerbread by Lucy Cousins Follow Maisy through the simple steps of baking gingerbread cookies. It’s a perfect pick for little bakers and pairs well with classroom baking activities. Gingerbread Man Loose at School By Laura Murray This clever gingerbread man isn’t just running away—he’s running around the school! It’s a great way to introduce a story about teamwork and exploring familiar places. Your preschoolers will love watching the gingerbread man search for his class! A World of Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman A World of Cookies for Santa takes readers on a delightful journey around the globe to discover the special treats left out for Santa on Christmas Eve. Travel to the Philippines, where children offer puto seko cookies and ginger tea for Santa; soar to Russia for a honey-spice cookie; then head to Malawi to try a sweet potato cookie! And when you return home, the adventure continues—M. E. Furman shares recipes so children can bake some of Santa’s favorite cookies themselves. A World of Cookies for Santa is a multicultural celebration that families will treasure and revisit every holiday season. Winner of the American Book Fest Best Book Award and the Moonbeam Book Award! Christmas Cookies: Bite-Size Holiday Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal From the beloved New York Times bestselling author of I Wish You More, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, comes this delightful follow-up to the bestselling Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons, capturing the true spirit of the Christmas season. It makes a thoughtful gift, especially when paired with some freshly baked cookies. From the tradition of baking the same cookies every year to the joy of decorating them with lots of sprinkles, emergent readers will savor gentle holiday lessons in this heartwarming story. Christmas Cookie Day by Tara Knudson Celebrate the tradition of baking Christmas cookies with family and friends in this charming board book, Christmas Cookie Day! The simple, easy-to-read rhymes are perfect for little ones during the holiday season, and the adorable bear illustrations will melt hearts. Plus, there’s a yummy cookie recipe on the back cover! Both young and old will enjoy the sweet rhymes and vibrant illustrations that capture the joy of baking and sharing cookies as gifts during the holidays. How to Catch a Gingerbread Man by Adam Wallace This series is always a hit! Your preschool kids will love this rhyming story about a gingerbread man who’s always one step ahead. Will they catch him? Dozens of Doughnuts by Carrie Finison This adorable story is about a bear who shares her doughnuts with friends is perfect for teaching generosity and counting. Your preschoolers will love this one especially because who doesn't love a delicious donut? Catch that Cookie! by Hallie Durand Inspired by the fun of a school gingerbread hunt, this book brings a new twist to the classic tale. Kids will enjoy the excitement of solving clues to track down the sneaky cookie. Do Frogs Drink Hot Chocolate? How Animals Keep Warm by Etta Kaner When winter arrives, animals in cold environments must find unique ways to survive. Do polar bears build homes? Do penguins snuggle with a friend? Yes! But their homes aren't made of wood, and they don’t cuddle on a couch. Instead, these animals and many others have developed incredible adaptations to thrive in chilly weather. Whether it's whales layering up with thick blubber, turtles burrowing into the mud to wait for spring, or emperor penguins huddling together in a giant group, this book is full of fascinating facts about how animals behave in winter. Presented in a fun question-and-answer format, this interactive nonfiction book invites kids to predict the answers and shout them out loud. With playful language and humorous illustrations, it engages young readers while teaching them about the amazing ways animals adapt to nature's challenges. Hot Cocoa Calm by Kira Willey In With Hot Cocoa Calm, children learn how to take control of their emotions and use breathing techniques to find peace. This calming board book is the perfect bedtime read before the winter holidays, celebrating the tranquility of the season. Best of all, it can be enjoyed anywhere—whether in the backseat of a car, at home, or even at a desk in school. Mindfulness Moments for Kids provides simple exercises that help children manage their bodies, breathing, and emotions, giving them tools they can use to stay calm in any situation. The Candy Cane Fiasco by Rachel Hiltz Get ready for another hilariously sticky adventure from Rachel Hilz! You won’t believe the candy cane disaster that unfolds when Santa tries to lend a hand! What parent hasn’t faced the challenge of a sticky child? Parents and kids alike will be in stitches over this wild tale, loosely inspired by real-life moments with a sticky little one. The Candy Cane Train By Shannon Delloiacono It's chilly outside, with snow covering the ground! Shhh... do you hear that? A rhythmic chug-a-chug, choo-choo sound! It's the Candy Cane Train, making its way into town! Packed full of treats, she's the sweetest ride around! We hope you’ve found some fun and engaging books to share with your preschoolers this season. These stories are perfect for tying in the excitement of gingerbread adventures and holiday treats while creating opportunities for connection and learning. Whether it’s through laughter, curiosity, or a little hands-on activity, these books are sure to bring a bit of extra joy to your preschool classroom. Cook up more Gingerbread & Sweet Treats Fun!Gingerbread & Sweet Treats Activity Pack Gingerbread Man Storybook Theater Gingerbread & Sweet Treats Lesson Planning Page Related Resources You Might Like:
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