The Gingerbread Train: Santa's Secret Gift: 1

Matthew has loved trains since he was four years old. Could he just be imagining the Gingerbread Train with Santa and his elves ... or is it real? His sister, Courtney, his mom, and even his friends don't believe him when he describes the train in its candy-adorned glory. This book will have you wondering, and then believing, just like Matthew!

This beautifully illustrated children's picture book is ideal for ages 3 years up to Grade 5, to get them using their own imaginations and discussing everything from how Matthew may be feeling throughout the story to how they might decorate their own Gingerbread Train.

A Gift Set that includes the book, a custom, made-in-the-USA train cookie cutter, and recipe card packaged in a festive, pull-string organza tote, is also available at www.thegingerbreadtrain.com.

The website is filled with lots to explore! The author, who is also a personal chef, has added activities and recipes for families to enjoy, with gingerbread or the gingerbread train as inspiration! Pre-school and elementary teachers can download lesson plans for learning fun related to The Gingerbread Train!

There are so many reasons why The Gingerbread Train - Santa's Secret Gift is the perfect addition to your collection!

Ann Tarpley Francesco developed an interest in writing before the age of ten. She started out writing rhyming poetry for family members, given as birthday presents, anniversary gifts, and for other special occasions. Her poetry always rhymed, but entered a new phase that incorporated what she was learning in school or something she personally experienced as she grew as an adolescent. It reflected the Romantic era of literature with more emphasis on emotion, nature, and her inner world. She continued to write poetry for special occasions into her adulthood, and sometimes wrote lyrics to familiar tunes that were sung to the recipient of the song as a tribute. Ann attended Radford University in Radford, Virginia where she earned her teaching certification for early childhood and middle education. Ann also earned a B.A. in business administration at Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, Virginia. Two lesson plans she developed were included in teacher resource books entitled, "Sweet Numbers" (Learn Every Day About Numbers, Gryphon House Books) and "Yummy Colors" (Learn Every Day About Colors, Gryphon House Books). Her writing continued to serve her well as a college admissions counselor at Lynchburg College and as a fifth- grade elementary school teacher in Stafford County, Virginia. Ann's love of education continued in a different capacity after moving to North Carolina, where she worked as a classroom presenter for King's College in Charlotte, NC, and later owned and operated a tutoring franchise. After having her children, Matthew and Courtney, Ann pursued many creative endeavors tying together her love of writing and cooking, including being a personal chef. She continued writing for the enjoyment of it. Her son, Matthew's love of trains from the time he was a toddler continued to inspire her writing, first in poetic responses she would include in his first grade parent/student writing assignments and then as a short story. The Gingerbread Train - Santa's Secret Gift emerged when Ann was inspired to write a children's book as a gift to her children. Both Matthew and Courtney were the inspiration behind the two lead characters in the book as well. ​In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis, yoga, working out at the gym, traveling, cooking, and creating unique sugar scrubs and body butters. She is an impassioned advocate of healthy living and an active lifestyle.

Rebecca Solow has been a professional illustrator since 2006, providing pictures for children's books, young adult book covers, magazine stories and more. Her favorite things to draw are children, animals, and, of course, gingerbread trains! Rebecca also does character design for games and concept art for films. Her clients range from major publishers to self-published authors. She enjoys bringing all sorts of stories into visual life, and has a special interest in folk tales and any story with strong and positive female characters. Rebecca paints traditionally using acrylic paints, and sometimes uses digital tools like PhotoShop. She received both her BFA and her MFA from the Hartford Art School. While being inspired daily through her illustrative work, she also teaches classes in children's book illustration and drawing at the Workhouse Art Center in Lorton, VA. Her clients include Spider Magazine (Carus Publishing), Highlights Magazine for Children, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Penguin Random House, the University of Hartford, and Columbia University - Teachers College, among others. She lives in Mount Ranier, MD with her husband and a 10-year old lop-eared rabbit named Aerie.