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The Runaway Tortilla
A sassy tortilla, so light she jumps off the griddle, leads an elaborate game of chase through the desert while taunting a passel of critters―two horned toads, three donkeys, four jackrabbits, five rattlesnakes, and six buckaroos. But has she met her match in Señor Coyote?
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2000
About the author
Eric A. Kimmel
145 books113 followersEric A. Kimmel is an American author of more than 150 children's books. His works include Caldecott Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman), Sydney Taylor Book Award winners The Chanukkah Guest and Gershon's Monster, and Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 24, 2021
The Runaway Tortilla, illustrated by Randy Cecil.
That classic Anglo-American folktale from New England, The Gingerbread Man, is transplanted to Texas in this picture-book retelling from author Eric A. Kimmel and illustrator Randy Cecil. When a light and fluffy tortilla runs away from their taquería, Tía Lupe and Tío José chase after it, joined by an ever-growing assortment of animals and people. The tortilla rolls along its way, taunting her pursuers with a rhyming chant, until finally she meets her match, in the form of a cunning coyote...
Originally published in 2000, with artwork by Randy Cecil, The Runaway Tortilla was reprinted in 2015 with new illustrations by Erik Brooks. This review is for the original edition, although I have also requested the new one from the library, given my interest in examining how different artists interpret the same text. In any case, this was a fairly engaging story, one of many traditional tales - see also: Little Red Hot , The Three Little Tamales , Jack and the Giant Barbecue , etc. - that Kimmel has transplanted to Texas. As I mentioned in my reviews of some of these other titles, I'm not always enthusiastic about transplanted tales, as I would prefer to see retellings of stories that actually hail from the cultures and regions being depicted. That said, this tale type, featuring a runaway pastry, is extremely widespread already, so seeing it in a new cultural context felt quite appropriate. Recommended to young folklore enthusiasts, and to picture-book readers who enjoy stories set in Texas, with a Latino flavor.
That classic Anglo-American folktale from New England, The Gingerbread Man, is transplanted to Texas in this picture-book retelling from author Eric A. Kimmel and illustrator Randy Cecil. When a light and fluffy tortilla runs away from their taquería, Tía Lupe and Tío José chase after it, joined by an ever-growing assortment of animals and people. The tortilla rolls along its way, taunting her pursuers with a rhyming chant, until finally she meets her match, in the form of a cunning coyote...
Originally published in 2000, with artwork by Randy Cecil, The Runaway Tortilla was reprinted in 2015 with new illustrations by Erik Brooks. This review is for the original edition, although I have also requested the new one from the library, given my interest in examining how different artists interpret the same text. In any case, this was a fairly engaging story, one of many traditional tales - see also: Little Red Hot , The Three Little Tamales , Jack and the Giant Barbecue , etc. - that Kimmel has transplanted to Texas. As I mentioned in my reviews of some of these other titles, I'm not always enthusiastic about transplanted tales, as I would prefer to see retellings of stories that actually hail from the cultures and regions being depicted. That said, this tale type, featuring a runaway pastry, is extremely widespread already, so seeing it in a new cultural context felt quite appropriate. Recommended to young folklore enthusiasts, and to picture-book readers who enjoy stories set in Texas, with a Latino flavor.
January 27, 2021
The Runaway Tortilla, illustrated by Erik Brooks.
A little tortilla runs away from Tía Lupe and Tío José's taquería in this Latino version of the classic Anglo-American folktale, The Gingerbread Man . Pursued by an ever-growing group of people and creatures, from burros to cowboys, the tortilla evades them all, chanting her rhyming taunt - "Run as fast as fast can be. / You won't get a bite of me. / Doesn't matter what you do. / I'll be far ahead of you" - along the way. Unfortunately for her, Señor Coyote is even more cunning than she...
The Runaway Tortilla was originally published in 2000, with artwork by Randy Cecil, and then reprinted in this new, 2015 edition, with illustrations by Erik Brooks. Comparing the two editions side by side - what can I say, I like to examine how different artists interpret the same story - I find that the text has also been changed slightly in this new version, with more Spanish words being used - burros for donkeys, vaqueros for cowboys, etc. Brooks' artwork here looks to be computer generated, unlike Cecil's oil paint illustrations. On the whole I found it appealing, and particularly liked the scenes in which all of the tortilla's pursuers are depicted in silhouette, as the runaway pastry's refrain is repeated. I don't know that I strongly prefer one version of this story over the other, and would recommend this title to the same group as the original edition, namely, to young folklore enthusiasts, and to picture-book readers who enjoy stories set in Texas, with a Latino flavor.
A little tortilla runs away from Tía Lupe and Tío José's taquería in this Latino version of the classic Anglo-American folktale, The Gingerbread Man . Pursued by an ever-growing group of people and creatures, from burros to cowboys, the tortilla evades them all, chanting her rhyming taunt - "Run as fast as fast can be. / You won't get a bite of me. / Doesn't matter what you do. / I'll be far ahead of you" - along the way. Unfortunately for her, Señor Coyote is even more cunning than she...
The Runaway Tortilla was originally published in 2000, with artwork by Randy Cecil, and then reprinted in this new, 2015 edition, with illustrations by Erik Brooks. Comparing the two editions side by side - what can I say, I like to examine how different artists interpret the same story - I find that the text has also been changed slightly in this new version, with more Spanish words being used - burros for donkeys, vaqueros for cowboys, etc. Brooks' artwork here looks to be computer generated, unlike Cecil's oil paint illustrations. On the whole I found it appealing, and particularly liked the scenes in which all of the tortilla's pursuers are depicted in silhouette, as the runaway pastry's refrain is repeated. I don't know that I strongly prefer one version of this story over the other, and would recommend this title to the same group as the original edition, namely, to young folklore enthusiasts, and to picture-book readers who enjoy stories set in Texas, with a Latino flavor.
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December 5, 2022What a fun version of The Gingrtbread Man!
January 28, 2019
Tia Lupe is making tortillas for the taqueria. Her tortillas are "as light as a cloud and as soft as the fuzz on a baby's cheek". The cowboys teased that if she made them any lighter, they'd jump up and run away. And of course, that's exactly what one tortilla did. He began to run, calling out, "Run as fast as fast can be. You won't get a bite of me. Doesn't matter what you do. I'll be far ahead of you!" So Tia Lupe and Tio Jose begin chasing. Soon the tortilla is chased by seis vaqueros, cinco cascabeles, cuatro conejos, tres burros and dos sapos cornudos...and of course by Tia Lupe and Tio Jose.
March 2, 2017
The Runaway Tortilla, by Eric Kimmell & Randy Cecil. Published by Winslowhouse International in 2000. This can be used with K- 3. Guided Reading: N; Lexile: 420L. 40 pages.
Summary:
I would use this in the classroom to teach about geography and different cultures, for example: New York vs. Texas where it’s very different. Similarly, we would read The Gingerbread Man as part of a fractured- fairy tales unit (including the other stories) and compare / contrast the original to the new versions. We would even find as many versions as we can and compare them all. I’m sure different cultures have different versions of similar stories. This can also be used to talk about sequence of events in story as well.
3.RL.9 Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories written by the same author about the same or similar characters (e.g. in a book from a series)
3.RL.5 Refer to parts in stories using such terms as chapter, scene and stanza; describe how successive parts build on earlier sections.
Summary:
I would use this in the classroom to teach about geography and different cultures, for example: New York vs. Texas where it’s very different. Similarly, we would read The Gingerbread Man as part of a fractured- fairy tales unit (including the other stories) and compare / contrast the original to the new versions. We would even find as many versions as we can and compare them all. I’m sure different cultures have different versions of similar stories. This can also be used to talk about sequence of events in story as well.
3.RL.9 Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories written by the same author about the same or similar characters (e.g. in a book from a series)
3.RL.5 Refer to parts in stories using such terms as chapter, scene and stanza; describe how successive parts build on earlier sections.
April 3, 2011
Wonderful retelling of the gingerbread man with the use of action words like slithering, scampering and galloping. I was glad to see that the people are short and stout, rather than the typical tall and thin. While not happy ever after, I liked the ending. Soft illustrations were ok.
Uses the word "Jackasses" when the tortilla spoke to donkeys.
Uses the word "Jackasses" when the tortilla spoke to donkeys.
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July 29, 2015Mama read this to me this morning. I liked the tortilla's catchy song.
March 4, 2018
The Runaway Tortilla is a Southwestern version of the Gingerbread Man which is a folktale of a Gingerbread man (or boy) escaping from the destiny of being eaten. In this story of The Runaway Tortilla, the Tortilla ran out of the griddle at a Mexican restaurant. She ditched the owners of the restaurant, donkeys, jackrabbits, rattlers, and so on. However, the tortilla was eaten by a fox in the end.
I don’t like some folktales, and one of them is the Gingerbread Man. I still don’t know the purpose of the story. The ways to be eaten is too scary for me. I feel sad for the runaway tortilla in this story as well. It was interesting that the different cultures have the very similar story for children. In southwestern, tortillas must be the easy and favorite food for people, and it becomes the protagonist of this folktale. In the text, the author added the Spanish version of animals on the right side when the owners of the restaurant and other animals chase the runaway tortilla. For instance, the word donkey was used to describe the animal on the left page of the book. And then, the word "burros", which is donkey in Spanish, was written with the illustration on the right page.
I don’t like some folktales, and one of them is the Gingerbread Man. I still don’t know the purpose of the story. The ways to be eaten is too scary for me. I feel sad for the runaway tortilla in this story as well. It was interesting that the different cultures have the very similar story for children. In southwestern, tortillas must be the easy and favorite food for people, and it becomes the protagonist of this folktale. In the text, the author added the Spanish version of animals on the right side when the owners of the restaurant and other animals chase the runaway tortilla. For instance, the word donkey was used to describe the animal on the left page of the book. And then, the word "burros", which is donkey in Spanish, was written with the illustration on the right page.
March 4, 2022
Let the children rate this. I see that many adults aren't wowed, and I wasn't either, but the 'song' is cute, and Erik Brooks' art is a perfect fit. Very funny. Especially when everyone gives up and is sprawled out, exhausted, from the chase. And kids did like it well enough to request a sequel, which idea Kimmel developed into The Three Little Tamales.
Not the best Kimmel ever, but everything by him is worth checking out, imo.
(I don't know how good the original Randy Cecil illustrations are.)
Not the best Kimmel ever, but everything by him is worth checking out, imo.
(I don't know how good the original Randy Cecil illustrations are.)
July 1, 2021
The Runaway Tortilla is a different take on The Gingerbread Man. Instead of gingerbread, a tortilla decides to run away and is chased far and wide. He runs because he overhears how beautiful he is even after being told that tortillas are made for eating. The story is humorous and gives the traditional story a multicultural perspective.
May 2, 2023
This book is a spoof of the gingerbread man except is is staged in Mexico and instead of it being gingerbread it is a tortilla. The tortilla goes through all of the usual shenanigans that the gingerbread does except this time it is Mexican themed. Ultimately he is tricked by a coyote who eats him. 4/5 stars.
April 10, 2021
What a funny little story! A runaway tortilla?! There's no such thing! This will be the perfect read aloud for the younger grades, they will get a kick out of it! Be prepared to sing her songs as she runs away!
January 4, 2023
I LOVE books that infuse another language into it’s writing. This book does just that so smoothly. The story is reminiscent of the gingerbread man. And had the same sad ending haha. All in all I liked it!
July 7, 2017
What the fuck?
October 13, 2018
Very cute story, reminds me of the gingerbread man. A good book to have in your classroom.
December 20, 2018
Western version of a classic fairy-tale.
January 27, 2019
I love this book. We read this as an alternate version of the gingerbread man and my Pre K students love it.
April 29, 2019
Lol what?
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February 22, 2020Good book to read aloud during a gingerbread theme.
March 5, 2020
This was a good book that I could use in the classroom when we are learning about Texas back when it was still apart of Mexico because that is the time period it is set in.
October 14, 2016
This book was strange. The tortilla was very full of herself, and the mention of donkeys being jackasses seemed somewhat inappropriate for the age group that the book is intended for. I was expecting this book to teach more about Mexican culture, but instead, it just took some themes from Mexico and retold the story of the Gingerbread Man.
June 28, 2016
The Runaway Tortilla is an amusing, delightful (and somewhat dark) story which adapts the traditional story of the Gingerbread Man, retelling it with some Tex-Mex influences.
This is the story of a tortilla, which is described poetically as “light as a cloud and soft as the fuzz on a baby’s cheek." The tortilla is so light, in fact, that he hops up and runs out of the taqueria. He runs away, with the owners of the taqueria pursuing him. They are soon joined by creatures such as burros, lizards, and rabbits, until the tortilla is tricked by a coyote into crawling into his mouth to look for a grasshopper.
This book not only incorporates Tex-Mex cultural influences like food and desert animals, but also weaves Spanish into the narrative. The Spanish will be appreciated by native speakers, but it’s also woven into the story in such a way that it’s accessible to English speakers; English phrases are sometimes rephrased in Spanish by the characters, juxtaposing the two languages.
This is an excellent, entertaining read-aloud for students in Kindergarten through age 8 in multilingual classrooms, or in classrooms where students are beginning to learn Spanish. The dark fate of the tortilla might also provide interesting material for discussion about the moral of the story.
This is the story of a tortilla, which is described poetically as “light as a cloud and soft as the fuzz on a baby’s cheek." The tortilla is so light, in fact, that he hops up and runs out of the taqueria. He runs away, with the owners of the taqueria pursuing him. They are soon joined by creatures such as burros, lizards, and rabbits, until the tortilla is tricked by a coyote into crawling into his mouth to look for a grasshopper.
This book not only incorporates Tex-Mex cultural influences like food and desert animals, but also weaves Spanish into the narrative. The Spanish will be appreciated by native speakers, but it’s also woven into the story in such a way that it’s accessible to English speakers; English phrases are sometimes rephrased in Spanish by the characters, juxtaposing the two languages.
This is an excellent, entertaining read-aloud for students in Kindergarten through age 8 in multilingual classrooms, or in classrooms where students are beginning to learn Spanish. The dark fate of the tortilla might also provide interesting material for discussion about the moral of the story.
October 14, 2012
Fairy Tale Review #1
The Runaway Tortilla is a modern adaptation of the classic The Gingerbread Boy. This book is set in southwestern United States and closely follows the original story. Some of the main differences are the fact it’s a tortilla girl, she is being made to eat (not as a cure to loneliness), and the creatures that chase her are native to the desert. This book would be great a part of a fairy tale analysis project to compare different versions of this classic tale. The illustrations are done with a beautiful oil paint that would attract any reader. It’s very traditional of the American Southwest. I can really appreciate the multi-cultural setting of the book and the use of many Spanish terms. This book could be used across all elementary grade levels; although, most primary students will be the first to reach for it. This book would be great to use as I said already to compare with other versions of the tale. Older students can come up with some of their own modern day versions. This book hasn’t received any award, but it’s worth the read.
October 31, 2023
A tale of most biting dramatic irony. The tortilla epitomizes human curiosity and defiance in the face of the mundane as the griddle-toasted sides and round edges of a perfect tortilla escape into the desert, free from the haunting life of fast food work. Beasts and men come from all corners of the desert to stop the tortilla only to be put to shame by the taunting provocations of the fleet eats. But just as reliably as the dew rises from the ground to paint each delicate blade of grass with the tenderest of droplets in the early morning, the tortilla's hubris blooms into that action which pioneers her untimely end. The book can be surveyed to propose the grimmest of warnings: death comes for us all.
May 5, 2012
Super fun rolling haughty tortilla story. Really, do you need to know more?
Fractured fairy tale version of The Gingerbread Man set in Texas. It's one of my favorite fractured fairy tales to use with classes* since it easily works with 4th & 5th grade. Great example of changes in setting & character.
OK, so the repetition may get a little long BUT when that coyote shows up, hey now, you've got them. The room's quiet for everyone is waiting to see just what will happen.
*Yeah, so Kimmel used jackass in one place for donkey. Dude could have made it easier, but no. I swap in donkeys while reading aloud because, well, you've met kids, right?
Fractured fairy tale version of The Gingerbread Man set in Texas. It's one of my favorite fractured fairy tales to use with classes* since it easily works with 4th & 5th grade. Great example of changes in setting & character.
OK, so the repetition may get a little long BUT when that coyote shows up, hey now, you've got them. The room's quiet for everyone is waiting to see just what will happen.
*Yeah, so Kimmel used jackass in one place for donkey. Dude could have made it easier, but no. I swap in donkeys while reading aloud because, well, you've met kids, right?
October 13, 2016
One reason I chose this book to explore myself is because of just the cover of the book! With a title like "The Runaway Tortilla" how could you resist. I thought that children would pick up this book to read for the same reason I did. I soon saw that throughout the story the author uses some Spanish words and the children can learn them while they read. The tortilla runs away so that she won't be eaten and everyone in the house and all the animals she passes by on the way have to chase her. Even after all her running Señor Coyote eats her. I feel like this would make some children upset since the book didn't end in a typical way, but I enjoyed the book not enough to recommend it.
October 18, 2010
Year Published: 2000
This story is a fairy tale set with tortillas that are running away. It seems similar to the Gingerbread Man in that as the tortilla is running away she has a song that goes, "run as fast as fast can be. You won't get a bit of me. Doesn't matter what you do. I'll be far ahead of you!" As the tortilla is running away animals run after her and the number increases with every type of animal. I liked this story and even the ending is different as it is not "happily ever after" for the Runaway Tortilla!
This story is a fairy tale set with tortillas that are running away. It seems similar to the Gingerbread Man in that as the tortilla is running away she has a song that goes, "run as fast as fast can be. You won't get a bit of me. Doesn't matter what you do. I'll be far ahead of you!" As the tortilla is running away animals run after her and the number increases with every type of animal. I liked this story and even the ending is different as it is not "happily ever after" for the Runaway Tortilla!
September 17, 2013
This would be a fun multi cultural take on the Gingerbread Man story and easily to adapt to a literary analysis for older students. My problem is this....the author refers to the donkeys as "jackasses" and I get that it has two meanings but it sent my 6 year old into a 5 minute rant about swearing and bad words. We finally read the story and she did like it, but unless you are going to alter the verbiage, be prepared to loose your kids in the donkey page.
June 8, 2016
The Runaway Tortilla is a southwestern take on the classic tale of the Gingerbread Man. The light and fluffy tortilla runs away from the restaurant and goes on an adventure throughout the Texas dessert, singing a catchy tune about not being caught. This would be fun to read in comparison to it's fairy tale match. The mix of English and Spanish throughout the book also many it a fun read for many of my students.
September 28, 2016
A Southwestern retelling of the Gingerbread Man that begins in a Texan taquería with a runaway tortilla declaring "I'm too beautiful to eat!" The vain tortilla encounters a variety of South Texas critters like rattlesnakes and jackrabbits until finally meeting her match in a clever coyote. A fun read aloud that adds a fresh perspective to a popular story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews