International Literature-Free Choice

I. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ahlberg, Allan. 2006. THE RUNAWAY DINNER. Ill. by Bruce Ingman. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763631426.

II. SUMMARY

In THE RUNAWAY DINNER, a young boy named Banjo Cannon sits down to eat his sausage dinner, when unexpectedly, his dinner, fork, knife, table and chair run away. Banjo and his parents follow his dinner throughout the town. When he finally catches up to Melvin, the sausage, Banjo’s mom exclaims, “Don’t eat that, it’s been on the ground!” Well Banjo was still hungry, and returns home for some plum pie for dessert. Certainly everything will stay in place…or will it?

III. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Ahlberg’s delightful, humorous tale of a boy and his runaway dinner is a surprising and fun read. The story progresses and builds as the reader is introduced to the whole dinner that has made a run for it. Ahlberg even proclaims in the books opening words: “Now here’s a story for you, full of such fun and exciting stuff you will surely love it. And the best part is…it’s all true.” This bold statement certainly draws readers in to the adventure of THE RUNAWAY DINNER.

Ahlberg is one of Britain’s most popular children’s writers, however, THE RUNAWAY DINNER is subtle in its cultural authenticity. Perhaps because British and American cultures are not very different, the book could easily be seen as an American picture book. There are a few distinct cultural makers that Ahlberg includes in the text that identify this book as a work by a British author. The first example of this is in the names of the characters. Each of the items of food on Banjo’s plate has a name. The sausage is Melvin, the peas are Peter, Percival and Paul and the carrots are Caroline, Clara, Camilla, and Cristabel. While some of these names are common in the United States, many of them stand out as decidedly “British.” Percival, Camilla and Cristabel are the most notable examples of British first names that are not used in the United States commonly.

Another example of Ahlberg’s British perspective is within the text of the story. There are a few language patterns that stand out. One phrase that is an example of a distinct language pattern is: “Presently, a picnicking family spotted the fork…” The opening word of that phrase is a clear example of British language usage. Ahlberg’s description of the food Banjo eats is also distinct. Banjo has plum pie for dessert and a pitcher of cream.

Ingman’s illustrations are representative of the antics described in the text. Each food item has stick legs and arms, and Ingman utilizes muted colors throughout. Banjo is an Anglo boy who could be from anywhere. The illustrations provide no distinct cultural markers, but they do an excellent job of adding to the fun and wit of the story.

Overall, Ahlberg’s tale is humorous, witty and quite clever. The story is not obviously British, however, there are subtle cultural markers throughout the text revealing Ahlberg’s perspective in his writing.


IV. REVIEW EXCERPTS

“The surreal adventures are relayed in a droll, conversational style with casual asides…Ingman's acrylic illustrations, done in muted tones, combine detailed panoramic scenes and fully fleshed-out characters with pen-and-ink outline sketches. The naive drawings of the stick-legged sausage and his fellow runaways will elicit giggles. This fast-paced yarn is full of kooky charm.” –School Library Journal


V. CONNECTIONS

**Share with other silly stories in a “Silly Silly Story” storytime.
**Other titles to share might include: A BIT MORE BERT by Allan Ahlberg or THE LADY WHO PUT SALT IN HER COFFEE: FROM THE PETERKIN PAPERS by Amy Schwartz