Tough Cookie: A Christmas Story

by Edward Hemingway, Edward Hemingway (Illustrator)

Overview

When a cookie discovers he does NOT taste delicious, he has to find a new identity in this clever picture book twist on a holiday classic.

Once upon a time, while Fox was visiting the land of Holiday Treats, a little cookie—still warm from the bakery oven—burst out the front door looking sweet and ready to be devoured. But, as it turns out, Cookie is not as fast as he thinks and when Fox finally catches him, they’re both in for a big surprise: Sugar Cookie does not taste delicious—and he’s certainly not fit to be eaten. What’s an unsavory cookie to do? Is there another option for this not-so-sweet treat?

This inventive story celebrates the joy of being accepted for who we are.

Christy Ottaviano Books

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250895059
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	09/12/2023
Pages:	30
Product dimensions:	4.95(w) x 6.95(h) x 0.65(d)
Lexile:	AD550L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 Months to 4 Years

About the Author

Edward Hemingway is the creator of Field Guide to the Grumpasaurus, Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship, and Bad Apple’s Perfect Day, as well as the illustrator of My Miserable Life by F.L. Block. He has written features in GQ magazine and comics for Nickelodeon, and his artwork has been published in The New York Times and Nickelodeon Magazine. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Edward Hemingway is the creator of Field Guide to the Grumpasaurus, Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship, and Bad Apple’s Perfect Day, as well as the illustrator of My Miserable Life by F.L. Block. He has written features in GQ magazine and comics for Nickelodeon, and his artwork has been published in The New York Times and Nickelodeon Magazine. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Editorial Reviews

…clever…[and] entertaining…

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo

09/24/2018
Hemingway (Field Guide to the Grumpasaurus) bakes up a clever case of mistaken identity in this holiday treat–inspired tale. Fox can’t resist giving chase when a little cookie, still warm from the Christmastown Bakery’s oven, jogs in front of him, shouting, “Run, run, as fast as you can! You can’t catch me—I’m the Sugar Cookie Man!” But just as readers think they’re in for a certain gingerbread-flavored story, Hemingway flips the script. Cookie turns out to be both a slowpoke and a terrible-tasting tooth-breaker, according to Fox. After several attempts to sweeten up, Cookie learns that he was created to decorate, not be dined upon, and he takes his rightful place on the town tree, relishing that he is “one tough cookie.” The smiling, anthropomorphic goodies that populate the streets of Christmastown demand a close look, and the author’s snappy pacing and silly scenarios keep the giggles coming. Includes recipes for sugar and ornament cookies. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

"What if the candy-studded cookie in the classic 'Gingerbread Man' tale actually tasted terrible...that's the clever premise of this entertaining story." —The New York Times

"Hemingway bakes up a clever case of mistaken identity in this holiday treat–inspired tale. . . The author’s snappy pacing and silly scenarios keep the giggles coming."—Publishers Weekly

"Reminiscent of Lane Smith and Jon Scieszka's fairy-tale retellings . . . The fun is in the layout and pacing of the storyline on the page, and the variety of candy and cookie characters, all smiling away. This sweet and silly story is about friendship and making the best of what you've got."—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2018-08-20

A modern twist on "The Gingerbread Man," with Fox chasing the Sugar Cookie Man through Christmastown.

The Land of Holiday Treats is peopled with smiling cupcakes, cookies, and other sweets that bustle through the festive town. The action begins when out of the Christmastown bakery flies a very cute cookie past Fox, saying "Run, run, as fast as you can! / You can't catch me—I'm the Sugar Cookie Man!" Fox gives chase and catches up to him quickly only to discover, to the surprise of them both, that the Sugar Cookie Man isn't sweet at all—instead, he's a terrible-tasting, tough cookie. Fox tries to cheer the distraught baked good up with "sugary sweet Christmas carols" and by sprinkling him with sugar, to no avail. It turns out that the Sugar Cookie Man is actually a tree ornament and not meant for eating. In tone and style, this book is reminiscent of Lane Smith and Jon Scieszka's fairy-tale retellings, though with less wisecracking. The fun is in the size of the round-eyed characters, the icinglike pastel colors, the layout and pacing of the storyline on the page, and the variety of candy and cookie characters, all smiling away. The author, a grandson of Ernest Hemingway, provides recipes for tough cookies (edible) and tough cookie ornaments (nonedible).

This sweet and silly story is about friendship and making the best of what you've got. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews