Yara's Gingerbread Diva: Sweet Escape

Sweet Escape · By LaNesha Tabb · Illustrated by Felicia Whaley

A cookie comes to life with dance moves, attitude, and one big goal: help Yara win the cookie contest.

Get the book Free activity pack
Cover of Yara's Gingerbread Diva: Sweet Escape

A Kirkus-starred review

“A fun, interactive read with an important message.”Kirkus Reviews
“…a lively new take on an old gingerbread-oriented tale.”Kirkus Reviews

The story

Yara is practicing gingerbread with her grandparents for the town's annual cookie contest, and nothing is coming out right.

Grandma adds something special to the dough, and the two of them take a walk to clear Yara's head. Back home, Grandpa pulls one more cookie from the oven. This one sits up. She looks just like Yara, she has moves, and she's off on a sweet escape through town.

It's a story about love, determination, and family, and about learning you already have all the right ingredients. The book ends with a real recipe, so the story keeps going in your kitchen.

Grandma rolls out gingerbread dough while Yara cheers and the Gingerbread Diva waves
Cover of the Yara's Gingerbread Diva Printable Activity Pack

Free printable activity pack

Twenty-one pages of winter fun to go with the book, for the classroom, daycare, or the kitchen table.

  • Coloring pages of Yara and the Gingerbread Diva
  • Word searches and reading comprehension pages
  • Cut-and-paste projects and creative writing prompts
  • Pages for group time or independent work
Download the activity pack (PDF)

21 pages, about 5 MB. Free for home and classroom use.

Get the book

Available in hardcover wherever books are sold.

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Buying online? Look for Yara's Gingerbread Diva: Sweet Escape in hardcover from Hightree Publishing, ISBN 9798988567011. That's the current edition. Ordering for a library or bookstore? Use that ISBN.

  • FormatHardcover, 40 pages
  • PublisherHightree Publishing
  • PublishedNovember 4, 2025
  • ISBN9798988567011

Meet the author

LaNesha Tabb is an Indianapolis native, educator, and author who has spent nearly two decades inspiring young readers and writers. She's also the creator of the Alpert series, loved by tens of thousands of children, parents, and educators.

LaNesha writes stories that highlight diverse characters, family traditions, and the joy of learning, giving children mirrors of themselves and windows into the experiences of others.

Bring LaNesha to your school

Author visits include a read-aloud, a talk about the writing process, and time for students' questions. Email info@laneshatabb.com for dates and rates.

Illustrated by Felicia Whaley. More books and free resources at laneshatabb.com.

LaNesha Tabb smiling between illustrations of the Gingerbread Diva and Yara