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.