Gingerbread for Liberty!: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution

by Mara Rockliff, Vincent X. Kirsch (Illustrator)

Overview

Christopher Ludwick was a German-born American patriot with a big heart and a talent for baking. When cries of “Revolution!” began, Christopher was determined to help General George Washington and his hungry troops. Not with muskets or cannons, but with gingerbread!     Cheerfully told by Mara Rockliff and brought to life by Vincent Kirsch’s inventive cut-paper illustrations, Gingerbread for Liberty is the story of an unsung hero of the Revolutionary War who changed the course of history one loaf at a time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780544465664
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	01/27/2015
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
Lexile:	AD590L (what's this?)
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Mara Rockliff is the author of many popular children’s books, including Try It! How Frieda Caplan Changed the Way We Eat; Chik Chak Shabbat; and Gingerbread for Liberty! How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution, an NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People and winner of multiple state awards. She lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with her family. Visit her online at www.mararockliff.com.

Vincent X. Kirsch is the author and illustrator who has worked with publishers such has Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, and Bloomsbury USA, where artwork for his first book Natalie and Naughtily was accepted into the 2008 Original Art Show at the Society of Illustrators in New York. He now lives in Los Angeles, California. Noah Webster and His Words is his first book with Houghton Mifflin.

Visit his website at vincentxkirsch.com.

Editorial Reviews

It's a little-known Revolutionary War story, and well told…Kirsch's jovial cut-paper illustrations, in warm tones of ginger and cinnamon, complement the playful patriotism of Rockliff's text.

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo

★ 11/17/2014
Rockliff (The Grudge Keeper) and Kirsch (Noah Webster and His Words) pay playful tribute to a Revolutionary War hero whose legacy lies in his culinary talent. Just before the outbreak of the war, Christopher Ludwick emigrated from Germany to Philadelphia, where he set up a bakeshop specializing in gingerbread (“the best in all the thirteen colonies”) and let no one go hungry: “No empty bellies here!” he booms. “Not in my America!” Ludwick shrewdly uses his baking skills after enrolling in Washington’s army to feed both colonial troops and British-hired German soldiers, in an effort to persuade them to defect to the patriots’ side. Working in watercolor, Kirsch takes a cue from Ludwick’s baking to create characters that resemble gingerbread cookies with white icinglike details; speech-balloon comments add another layer of humor to the story. Rockliff’s story celebrates an unheralded historical figure, reinforces the value of creatively employing one’s skills, and reminds readers that heroes can be found in surprising places. A gingerbread cookie recipe appears on the endpapers. Ages 6–9. Author’s agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Christa Heschke, McIntosh & Otis. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

"This appealing concoction is a powerful reminder of the good one person can do." —Kirkus * "A sweet addition to Revolutionary War units where a more behind-the-scenes look is desired and a nonfiction twist on gingerbread-themed storytimes." —School Library Journal, starred review * "Rockliff’s story celebrates an unheralded historical figure, reinforces the value of creatively employing one’s skills, and reminds readers that heroes can be found in surprising places." —Publishers Weekly, starred review * "Kirsch's cookie-cutter images of a battalion approaching by sea, hired by England's king, lessen the threat and sweeten the humor...[while] Rockliff uses recurring refrains for maximum impact...Readers will be back for seconds." —Shelf Awareness, starred review "Kirsch's jovial cut-paper illustrations, in warm tones of ginger and cinnamon, complement the playful patriotism of Rockliff's text." —The New York Times   —

From the Publisher

★ 10/01/2014
Gr 1–4—A little-known figure from the American Revolution era is given a fresh look for another generation of history lovers. This book relates the tale of a generous, beloved, and industrious member of the Philadelphia community, originally from Germany, referred to as "the baker." The book centers on his insistence upon joining the war effort, despite being told he's too old and fat. George Washington put the baker to work baking bread for the troops and eventually sent him on a special mission to convince the mercenary Hessian soldiers to abandon the English army. Rockliff's dialogue-laden text is accessible, even humorous at times ("General Washington did not say the baker was old and fat. General Washington was too polite. Anyway, he had other troubles on his mind."). Rendered in watercolor, the charming illustrations aptly depict the people and objects as gingerbreadlike, using a palette of warm, cinnamon tones and sugary white lines that detail the free-floating, cut-paper shapes. Repetitive shapes with a lack of depth complete the cookie illusion. The simple recipe on the end pages offers options for different skill levels. Back matter, including a list of sources, provides fuller detail and context as well as the baker's name: Christopher Ludwick. A sweet addition to Revolutionary War units where a more behind-the-scenes look is desired and a nonfiction twist on gingerbread-themed storytimes.—Carol S. Surges, formerly at Longfellow Middle School, Wauwatosa, WI

School Library Journal

2014-10-22
Rockliff and Kirsch introduce a lesser-known figure who demonstrated patriotic fire by baking bread for the Continental Army. It is fitting that throughout the tale our hero is simply called the baker—curious youngsters only learn his name, Christopher Ludwick, in the closing author's note. Brisk, playful text sketches Ludwick's life and cheerful, generous nature. Although too "old and fat" to fight, when he learns the troops are hungry, "[t]he baker roll[s] up his sleeves. ‘No empty bellies here,' he [tells] General Washington. ‘Not in my America!' " This is his refrain, and it is clear that this German immigrant, a gingerbread baker by trade, believes in liberty and opportunity. In fact, he volunteers to share this information with the foreign soldiers who arrive on our shores. Children must infer they are Hessians, a detail later confirmed in the author's note. Bright watercolor illustrations resemble decorated gingerbread and burst across the double-page spreads as if barely able to contain this spirited patriot and his enormous contribution. The author's note provides more information about Ludwick's life and philanthropic efforts. This appealing concoction is a powerful reminder of the good one person can do. (sources, recipe) (Informational picture book. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews