saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What an adorable new twist on an old classic! My 6yo son and I loved it! I’ve read this story many times but nothing told like this. It’s definitely my favorite version. Another wonderful children’s story by Lois Wickstrom. I will continue reading her books every chance I get!
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’ve heard and read a lot of different Hansel and Gretel stories, but this one was fantastic. I found it really cool how Gretel drew pictures of the animals and landscape along the way. The whole alteration of the original story was interesting to see unfold, especially when accountability was shown. Fantastic job ❤️
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a really cute reimagined Hansel and Gretel. I liked the fact that the witch turned out nice. I recommend this book to anyone with children who love to read. It is a cute little story and a fun read. I have read other stories by this author and have liked them all. If you are interested in new books for your children I recommend this author and this book.
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Lois Wickstrom has yet again produced a brilliant book that is entertaining for the whole family. I was familiar with the story of Hansel and Gretel but my kids hadn’t yet heard the story. This was a great way to introduce them to a classic tale. As with all books by this author, we have read this one multiple times. It is engaging, fun and is great to read with your kids. I am sure this book will be read many times more while we wait for the next book by this author.
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom. I have loved every one of her books. They are so fun and so cute. Its a fun take on Hansel & Gretel. Hansel and Gretel are on a picnic in the woods with their dad and they hear a strange pecking noise. They go to investigate and find a Woodpecker. Gretel wants a picture so when she sketches it neither one of them can remember how to get back. There are also rumors of a witch with a cauldron in the woods and they are talking about it when they begin to smell gingerbread. When they find the beautiful Gingerbread house they admire it and begin to try some of it. While they are tasting the Gingerbread the home owner comes back and is aggravated at them so she puts them to work, This is a cute take on Hansel & Gretel.
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hansel and Gretel are on a picnic in the woods with their dad when they hear a tapping sound coming from nearby. Their dad tells them not to go far because there is a witch living in the woods nearby. He goes on to explain to Hansel and Gretel that the witch wants to enter the most beautiful house contest. Hansel and Gretel go off to explore where the sound is coming from and discover that it is only from a woodpecker. They try to return back to their picnic but now they are lost. As they wander through the woods, they stumble upon a gingerbread house with animals eating it. When they decide to start nibbling on the gingerbread house as well an old lady comes out and tells them to stop. Have the children ruined her chance to have the most beautiful house?
This was a cute, toned down version of Hansel and Gretel and I really enjoyed it. I loved that the children were on a picnic in the woods with their dad and exploring nature. It was definitely not as scary as the version I recall hearing as a child. The characters were wholesome and both Hansel and Gretel were typical, inquisitive children who needed to discover for themselves where a strange sound was coming from. The witch in this tale was only wanting to be rewarded for her hard work of making her house beautiful. Another fantastic story by this author with beautiful illustrations that really bring the story to life.
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was an interesting story. Saving the Gingerbread House is a weird play on the original story of Hansel and Gretel. In this story, Hansel and Gretel are out for a picnic with their dad. They are careful while having a picnic because there are rumors about a witch who has a cauldron, who might kidnap children, who might eat children, etc. The kids hear a sound and go running away from the picnic and get lost, but they come upon a gingerbread house. They start to eat the house, along with the forest animals, and the woman who lives there is mad because she is trying to win a beautiful house contest. She forces the kids to help fix the house. Gretel tells the woman her dad will worry and had to go find him, but she keeps going down the wrong path. Finally, she finds her dad, brings him back to the house, and the woman wins the contest. In the end, the question is “was the woman a witch?” I did not really understand the point of the book, especially the ending. Normally this author has a learning point of view and I am not really sure what the message was here. I am sure kids may like this book because there is a cool candy house, but as a parent wasn’t my favorite.
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hansel and Gretel are having a picnic in the woods, but when they hear a mysterious knocking sound, they hurry off to investigate it and when they find the source, Gretel is amazed to see a woodpecker and is determined to add a sketch of it to her book, but when she does, neither her of Hansel can remember how to get back to their picnic area.
As they search for their way back, they talk about the rumour they had heard about the witch who wants to enter the Beautiful House Contest, but they cannot believe it, so when they smell gingerbread in the air, they decide to go on another mini adventure to see where it is coming from, this is where they see a lot of animals and birds nibbling what looks like a gingerbread house.
As they are admiring the house and tasting it at the same time, they are confronted by the house’s owner who is annoyed at them and the animals for eating their handiwork, but is it the witch and what will happen to them all now, can she still win the contest? This is a charming retelling of a classic fairy-tale with a twist and a lesson in morality which all ages will enjoy.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a very nice twist to the original fairy tale. I picked this book because my son’s friends did a retelling of the fairy tale in a competition, where the witch becomes a vegan. It was a delight to read this book, where the kids reach the witch’s house and realize that she is wanting to win the most beautiful house award in a competition but because of animals and kids nibbling pieces of the house, she is in trouble. She then puts the kids to work.
I have read many books from Lois Wickstrom and it is always a delight to read them and cherish them.
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I read Saving The Gingerbread House to my 6 year old daughter and she really enjoyed the story, declaring “it was the best book ever.”. My favorite part was all of the animals and illustrations, listing each of the birds by their actual type. My daughter liked that the animals nibbled at the gingerbread house. Overall, it was a sweet story that lightly illustrated accountability and helping others.
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hansel and Gretel went on a picnic with there father. He taught them to leave crumbs for animals so the animals can lead them back. Well Hansel and Gretel hear a sound and go looking for what it is. Gretel puts into action what her dad told her about crumbs. After a lot of roaming around she finally finds her way back to her dad. Fast pace children’s book. I highly recommend.
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I can never rave enough on how much I love Lois’s books!!!!!
This one is the cutest play off of the original children’s story of Hansel and Gretal that I have ever read.
I read this one out loud to my 18 month old daughter. And she just sat and listened. She also really liked the pictures. Kept pointing out the animals.
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a lovely take on the traditional tale Hansel and Gretel. Again as with other books by this author the story was well written, a nice pace and beautifully illustrated. This would be a great addition to read alongside the original tale and see how the two stories differ and how the characters were different in each one.
This was a fun and engaging read and a great story for young children to enjoy!
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is an adorable rendition of Hansel and Gretel! The two are traveling with their father through the forest when they hear a strange sound. Curious Gretel investigates the sound, only to get them turned around in the woods. When trying to find their way back to their dad, they come across a beautiful house that smells delicious and is being eaten by animals! When the homeowner catches them, she insists they help her fix the home to win the most beautiful house contest. But is this the witch everyone fears? Can they finish the house on time? Will they find their way back to their dad?
This story captures the audience and draws them in with captivating illustrations. The story is easy to follow and fun for young readers. My son is seven and loves stories by this author. This is a great new telling of the adventures of Hansel and Gretel, perfect for kids to enjoy!
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a cute little Hansel and Gretel type story with a twist. It was very cute and I loved that they solved problems along the way. I felt that it covered the importance of thinking for yourself and not going into situations or meeting people with preconceived opinions/judgements. The kids loved this and I appreciated a more happy version of a darker fairy tale. We had a few discussions about this book.
My oldest kid said: I really like the fact the girl wanted to stop and sketch the animals that she saw. I want to do that on our next hike please? I also really liked that the kids helped the old lady fix her house. That was sweet.
My youngest said: I liked that it was a gingerbread house. I think I would want to eat it to. I didn’t know that animals liked gingerbread houses.
Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom is a wonderful picture book packed full of wonderful topics to talk to your child about. The first thing that stood out to me is that you should always know your way home- the crumb trail. Another thing that children should be taught is not to wander away from their parents because it is not safe. I love how Wickstrom has created such an outstanding retelling of Hansel and Gretel. The illustrations and storyline works well together, and are entertaining for children.
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a really cute book! I enjoyed the illustrations a lot, they were very colorful, detailed and beautiful! This is kind of like a retelling of Hansel and Gretel, without the bad-ish ending and violence towards children. I think this children’s book had a good theme in not judging books by its cover? Something along those lines anyway. Either this was a cute book for children and I highly recommend it!
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another excellent book from this author.
I loved this alternative take on Hansel and Gretel, a delightful and happy take on this fairytale.
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Hansel and Gretel have heard the rumors about the witch that owns the gingerbread house. While out on an outing they discover the house, but are the rumors true?
This was a different take on the Hansel and Gretel story. Had problem solving skills as well as a couple of lessons along the way. Fun read.
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom
4 Stars
This is a cute version of the fairytale Hansel and Gretal. As this is a book for children, there are no scary parts like in the real fairytale. As Hansel and Gretal are hiking with their father, he mentions that the witch wants to enter the most beautiful house contest. The children find this really silly. Upon hearing a strange noise, they decide to investigate and get lost in the woods. What happens next is an adventure filled with animals, a witch and of course a gingerbread house. The book is filled with colourful pictures sure to keep your children’s eyes glued to the pages.
Review by @Anna Hirsch
View all my reviews
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a cute retelling of Hansel and Gretel. As always, I love how Wickstrom weaves science and storytelling. Hansel and Gretel go out with their dad to have a picnic and along the way Gretel stops to identify and draw birds and other woodland creatures. They cross paths with the “witch” who makes them help her rebuild her house because they, and the animals, have been eating her “prize-winning house.” I do feel like this story ends abruptly and I had to go back a read it a couple of times to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Overall, I enjoyed the story.
Reviewed by @meggs1717
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
One of my favorite stories when I was younger was that of Hansel and Gretel. This is the retelling of that story, with a nicer version than the original. I enjoyed the concept Lois conveys of helping someone in need. A very quick read with a good message. If you like classic children’s tales with a slight twist, this is the book for you.
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a fun little take on the Hansel and Gretel story. Along with their dad, Hansel and Gretel take a walk into the woods. Dad has taught the kids well to leave a bread crumb trail to find their way back. Dad is telling the kids to be careful of the witch in the woods. They hear a bird and take off looking for it and in the meantime, come across a beautiful gingerbread house. The animals are eating it so the kids decide to try some for themselves. Then the homeowner comes out and puts the kids to work. She’s wanting to win the “most beautiful house” award but it’s becoming impossible with the bricks disappearing.
I’m a huge fan of Lois Wickstrom and her books just don’t disappoint! The illustrations are very vivid and the stories are engaging. Most, if not all, of her books also have some learning component to them as well. These books need to be in every home, daycare, school, library, etc!
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is a different take on the original Hansel and Gretel fairytale. In this story the brother and sister are on a picnic and get lost. When they come upon a gingerbread house the old lady makes them help her repair the damage that the animals have done to her house.
This is a quick easy read that will keep youngsters engaged. It helps to teach children to make up their own minds and find ways to solve problems without giving up. While this was an interesting story, I would have liked to see more to it. The ending is left open so this is a nice way to get children thinking and imagining. The children in the story are curious and smart making this an easy story to engage little ones with questions and have them give ideas.
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Saving the Gingerbread House
By: Lois Wickstrom
This is such a cute version of Hansel and Gretel. I definitely will be reading it to my students when we get to our fairy tale unit. I love that this has a science spin, just as all Lois Wickstrom books do. It has absolutely adorable pictures to go along with the text. I actually love that this has a such a positive spin on a fairy tale that can have more of a dark spin. I love that Hansel and Gretel work with the witch to restore the house, fixing their mistakes. I definitely recommend this story. Especially when reading the original too. I think it can lead to many conversations between children (or students)! This is one I will be recommending to all of my teaching friends!
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am a fan of this author and her children’s books she puts out. This one is just as
Good as the others I’ve read. This is a story of Hansel and Gretel and how they helped the witch when all the animals were eating her house she was hoping to win a contest.
review by @xchellex
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hansel, Gretel and their dad go on a walk through the forest to have a picnic. Gretel loves to draw the wildlife she sees. As they are walking, they ask their dad about the witch that lives in the forest. When Hansel and Gretel go on a walk by themselves they happen upon a gingerbread house and meet the old lady who lives there. She is not happy that Hansel, Gretel and the forest animals have eaten some of her house and make Hansel and Gretel stay to fix the house. The house is in a contest later that she wants to win. Gretel comes up with an idea to lead the animals away from the house and to find her dad. It takes a few tries, but is successful – and guess what?! The old woman wins the contest. The illustrations in the book are cute and it is a great new way to tell the story of Hansel and Gretel.
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
4.5 Stars
“I didn’t know a witch could have a pretty house,” said Gretel. “What’s she like?”
“I’ve never met her,” said Dad, “but I’ve heard she has a cauldron where she
makes potions. She kidnaps children and makes them work for her. And maybe
she eats them. So, no matter how pretty her house is, stay away.”
Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom is a charming children’s fantasy story with interesting and colourful illustrations, plenty of fun, and adventure. It is an original take on the classic ‘Hansel and Gretel’ fairytale.
This is another quirky story from Ms. Wickstrom’s seemingly limitless imagination. It was both engaging and fun.
Hansel and Gretel set off on a picnic in the woods, but soon get lost. They stumble on a gingerbread house and so their adventure begins.
Looking forward to more from Ms. Wickstrom.
Happy reading…
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Saving the Gingerbread House: A Science Folktale by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Saving the Gingerbread House is Lois’s unique version of Hansel and Gretel. Children are going to love this folktale. With bright and colourful pictures the story comes alive as we adventure along to save the Gingerbread House. The story is aimed at children 4 to 8 years old.
There is more going on in the woods that send two curious minds out to explore.
All the witch wanted was to showcase her beautiful house and win the House Beautiful Contest. Does that happen or are her chances destroyed? To find out you will need to follow along on the adventure.
After reading this story the kids (grandbabies) wanted to make their own Gingerbread house and enter into a contest of their own. Of course they both won.
Reviewed by @jennadb
saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was my second children’s book by Lois and she did not disappoint. She took the classic story of Hansel and Gretel and gave it a polite rewrite. It has many values for children to learn and is very fun and informative at the same time. Maybe it isn’t a witch after all but an elderly woman needing help.
