The Day I Ran Away

Winner:
Mom's Choice Award

While Dad tucks her in, a little girl named Grace calmly recounts her day—which was anything but calm. She had a tantrum (because of some injustices involving a purple shirt and breakfast cereal) and was banished to her bedroom before deciding to run away. Understanding that kids have ups and downs, Grace's mom wisely gave her daughter the space and time she needed to reach her own decision to return home—to open arms.The Day I Ran Away amusingly captures Grace’s mutable moods and childlike logic. Warm, humorous digital paintings offer fun details to keep little listeners busy. Kids can compare the bedtime and daytime scenes and try to figure out how Grace got that purple paw-print on her cheek—and when it got washed away. They can mimic Grace’s facial expressions or copy her poses for some soothing bedtime yoga. And of course, they can create a safe place to run away to when the injustices of Pre-K existence become too much to bear. A pop-up tent in the yard and the haven beneath the dining room table are excellent run-away destinations, as long as you come home for dinner.

Holly L. Niner is a speech therapist and writer whose stories have appeared in many children's magazines. Her picture books were designated as an IBBY Outstanding Book for Young People with Disabilities (2005), an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award winner (2006) and a Bank Street College of Education Best Book (2005). This is her third picture book. Isabella Ongaro is an illustrator who loves adventure, travel, and experiencing the joy in life. She has illustrated several books in her native Italian. This is her first picture book in English.