The Runaway Dinner
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Book Overview
"A wacky, whimsical narrative. . . . More sophisticated in structure than the classic tales and verses that inspired it, this madcap riff is for primary-grade readers -- and their clever parents." -- Kirkus Reviews What happens if someone's dinner decides that, well, it doesn't want to be eaten? For a hungry little boy named Banjo and a savory sausage named Melvin, it's a plight that can only result in a breathless escape -- and what a chase it is Off speeds the sturdy sausage -- leading fork, knife, and plate, chair and table, a handful of fries with various French names, and three fat little peas -- out the door, down the street, and around the park, with poor Banjo taking up the rear. Will the famished boy ever catch them? And what (gulp) happens to Melvin if he does? Allan Ahlberg is in his element with this fast and funny tale, while Bruce Ingman's kid-friendly illustrations add visual comedy to the chase.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0763638935
ISBN13:9780763638931
Release Date:August 2008
Publisher:Candlewick
Length:40 Pages
Weight:0.50 lbs.
Dimensions:8.5" x 0.2" x 11.1"
Age Range:4 to 8 years
Grade Range:Preschool to Grade 3
Customer Reviews
4 ratings
Entertaining and lively.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
This book is wonderful. It is a book that needs to be read out loud to children with much dramatics and suspense. It isn't a book you could simply buy and hand off to the six year old but read it to them and they are hooked. My three year old liked it too although my six year old adores it (and now reads it herself). Definitely not for the under 3 set. I actually enjoy reading it to them. Some children's books are so predictable. Open up your child's perspective and experience with something a little different. We love this book.
Happy Preschool Teacher
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
I work at a preschool that also has a pre-k class. The kids LOVED this book! I also really enjoyed it, I had ordered this copy for myself, but I think that we're going to need one at school too. It is fun, funny, and charming. The children in both classes are still talking about it days later. In general I'm not a fan of newer children's books, I would prefer to read The Runaway Bunny, but this book is destined to be a classic. The illistrations are colorful and engaging, and the story is told in a way that children can easily understand because it is how many of them speak and think (it is a little hard to get into the rythm at first). Even the kids who don't really enjoy books loved this one! It is a must have.
Melvin is a hit!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
Our nearly 3 year old son, just loves this book. The author makes each character simply come to life on every page. The illustrations are colourful and fun. The narrative is a little different, but keeps our son thoroughly engaged right 'til the end!
Quirky and great fun to read
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
The people in my family are great fans of the "spoken" narrative style of Richard Scarry. This book is just as fun to read outloud (very important from a parent's perspective) and the illustrations are charming and clever. I like a children's book with a sense of humor. My girls, age 2 and 4, are tickled with this one too. A word of caution: 2 of the 3 peas in the story are consumed by fowl, so perhaps children who are a very concerned about death would not be an appropriate audience.
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