Was it too much sugar? Or too much spice? Whatever it was, there was no one like the Gingerbread man, or was there? Our retelling of The Gingerbread Man focuses on the themes of adventure, determination, deception and friendship. Highlighting to our readers that sometimes, it is important to be cautious. The concept of cooking gingerbread figures dates back to medieval Europe, and was often associated with festive traditions. The first recorded version of a Gingerbread Man story was possibly published in 1845 by American author James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps. It has been adapted and retold in different cultures and languages since, each with their own twists and variations.