The Gingerbread Cowboy

If you recall last week I posted G is for Gingerbread Man in the kindergarten classroom. http://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2015/12/g-is-for-gingerbread.html
This is a follow up you don't want to miss. It all started with the book "The Gingerbread Cowboy " by Janet Squires. 

It is her first picture book and what a creative fun story. Squires gives the popular folktale a Wild West setting, where the rancher's wife, tired of baking her husband biscuits, makes a gingerbread cowboy complete with a vest and big hat. When the gingerbread boy leaps out of the oven and wriggles through the corral fence, he is chased by javelinas (boars), by long-horned cattle ("No more grass for us! We want gingerbread"), and by cowboys riding the range--until he meets a tricky coyote napping in the sun. Berry's double-page spreads, painted in lots of brown and green, make the chase a series of uproarious encounters across the wide desert. One of the best scenes is the close-up of the coyote drawn with lots of furry cross-hatching, stretched out on the sand, one sly eye open. Children will easily join in on the chant "Giddyup, giddyup as fast as you can. You can't catch me . . .") as they enjoy this universal trickster tale with a cowboy slant. 
It's a delightful read with bold eye catching illustrations. Recommended ages 5-8.

A very creative EA (aide) made a bold move in a kindergarten room. She decided a plain gingerbread man would not do and instead turned him into gingerbread cowboy. 

And then the fun began.

 The class took their job of cleaning up seriously.

But then many began to express concerns as to the gingerbread cowboy's fate. But lucky for them the EA was quick thinking and followed that gingerbread cowboy right to the kitchen and took his picture. She then returned to class to show them he indeed did not run away. Honestly I just melted with this photo.  

If you are looking  for a holiday activity for kids really of any age put this activity and book top of your list. Directions for making this gingerbread man/cowboy can be found at the link posted above.