As part of our Christmas Book Advent Countdown, I read "Tough Cookie, A Christmas Story" by Edward Hemingway, to my girls last night and they loved it. This was one of a few recent released I wrapped and added to our stack of holiday books, to surprise the girls with. Usually they will pick out a handful of books each, and I will throw in a handful of books they have never read, and we start counting down to Christmas, beginning Dec. 1st, reading all these great holiday-themed books, and getting into the holiday spirit. In addition to reading this book, I had a special craft for the girls to do, to go along with this book -- Tough Cookie ornaments, which a recipe for this and an easy to make Tough Cookie edible gluten-free cookie, is included in the back of the book, for families to make and enjoy.
While the girls were working on their Tough Cookie ornaments, I whipped up a batch of the tasty cookies to be enjoyed during our holiday movie. Usually we will do popcorn, but I thought it would be a nice treat to have cookies and milk after having read this book, as we settled in to watch a holiday movie.
When you start reading this book, you see if reads kind of like the Gingerbread Man story. But, after getting through the first few pages, you see this is more than just a gingerbread cookie on the run story. Instead, this "sweet" story is about friendship and accepting each other for their differences. The Gingerbread cookie in this book thought he was a sweet cookie, only to be disappointed when the fox spit him out and said he was gross tasting and one tough cookie (as he chipped Fox's tooth when he took a bite).
An unlikely friendship develops between Fox and the Gingerbread cookie, and Fox tries everything he can think of to brighten the spirits of the cookie and try and figure out his purpose. He desperately tries to make his a sweet cookie -- even soaking with him in an eggnog bath. But, that doesn't help. He even enters the cookie into a race thinking he will outrun the others, but he comes in dead last. It isn't until the end of the book, that the gingerbread cookie and Fox realize that he is a salt dough ornament and not an edible sweet cookie, like the cookie thought he was. This makes the gingerbread cookie happy as he finally understands his purpose and knows what he is. Then, he takes his place proudly on the big Christmas tree in town, and looks down at all the sweets lining the streets. Fox is proud of his friend, and loves seeing him happy.
This really is a cute holiday story, that kids and adults will enjoy reading time and again. Kids will pick up mid-way through the book that the gingerbread cookie is not a cookie, but instead an ornament. Then, you wait, hoping he realizes this, and embraces this, which he does wholeheartedly in the end.
If you are looking for a last minute holiday book to add to your family's book advent, or to enjoy while sitting around the Christmas tree, why not pick up a copy of "Tough Cookie, A Christmas Story." We loved it, and I know your family will, too!
More about this book:
"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."
A Christy Ottaviano Book"
Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
This looks adorable! I love it when my son lets me read to him and he would probably sit for this one. :)
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