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The Beginner's Guide to Running Away from Home
What kid hasn’t wanted to make their parents feel sorry for treating him badly?
And how better to accomplish this than to run away? Here’s a guide showing how, from what to pack (gum–then you won’t have to brush your teeth) to how to survive (don’t think about your cozy bed). Ultimately, though, readers will see that there really is no place like home. Like Judith Viorst’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, here’s a spot-on portrait of a kid who’s had it.
And like Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, it’s also a journey inside a creative kid’s imagination: that special place where parents aren’t allowed without permission.
And how better to accomplish this than to run away? Here’s a guide showing how, from what to pack (gum–then you won’t have to brush your teeth) to how to survive (don’t think about your cozy bed). Ultimately, though, readers will see that there really is no place like home. Like Judith Viorst’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, here’s a spot-on portrait of a kid who’s had it.
And like Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, it’s also a journey inside a creative kid’s imagination: that special place where parents aren’t allowed without permission.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
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121 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
September 24, 2019
Text: Amusing, a little tongue-in-cheek, and silly. 3.5 stars.
Illustrations: I love the awkwardness of the figures and overall, slight creepiness of Red Nose Studio's work. 5 stars.
--> 4 stars
Illustrations: I love the awkwardness of the figures and overall, slight creepiness of Red Nose Studio's work. 5 stars.
--> 4 stars
August 17, 2013
This is a humorous tongue-in-cheek take on the classic scenario of a fed-up middle child running away. The mixed media illustrations created with clay figures, paper drawings and other items are terrific and the narrative is quite funny to read aloud. I have to admit that claymation-type figurines tend to creep me out, but we loved the critters and the fascinating details in the scenes, if not the people themselves.
It's a quick read and while I felt like I should throw in a cautionary note (I cringed when the boy said he could sleep on a bench in the park), I suppressed it and I'm glad I did. The story handles it just fine.
I read this book to our youngest and her cousin on the first night of our summer vacation trip back home and I thought it was a wonderful big-kid read. We really enjoyed reading it together.
It's a quick read and while I felt like I should throw in a cautionary note (I cringed when the boy said he could sleep on a bench in the park), I suppressed it and I'm glad I did. The story handles it just fine.
I read this book to our youngest and her cousin on the first night of our summer vacation trip back home and I thought it was a wonderful big-kid read. We really enjoyed reading it together.
March 28, 2013
Think of the runaway threats in Russell Hoban's A BABY SISTER FOR FRANCES add the humor of Tom Lichtenfield's EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT PIRATES and the angst of an angy older sibling and you've got the gist of the story.
It's not the story that stands out here, though. The voice is interesting, but what really makes you keep reading are the illustrations. They are some of the most interesting I've seen this year. They might not be to everyone's liking, but they are certainly outstanding.
3.0 for story
4.0 for illustrations
It's not the story that stands out here, though. The voice is interesting, but what really makes you keep reading are the illustrations. They are some of the most interesting I've seen this year. They might not be to everyone's liking, but they are certainly outstanding.
3.0 for story
4.0 for illustrations
August 2, 2013
A visual delight!
Attention-hogging baby sisters, warty slug big brothers, moms who throw away your candy wrapper collection or dads that ignores you - all very good reasons for running away. This is the first piece of advice given by the protagonist of the story - Have a Really Good Reason. Next you need to pack, say goodbye to your pets, leave a note and last, make a big exit.
Once your gone, you are not to look back, especially not at the time your dad taught you how to swim, or the time your brother helped you find rocks for your collection. Whatever you do, never think about your mom's spaghetti or how cozy it is in your warm bed.
I don't want to ruin the big finish in The Beginner's Guide to Running Away From Home, but let's just say, it's just what you hope for.
When this book landed on my desk, I was immediately taken by the look of it. Red Nose Studio brings every day objects and clay figures together in every page. Each spread is a photograph of an imaginative layout, with fine-tuned attention to detail. Each time you and your child look at this book, you will find something new!
If your youngster is looking to pack his bags for greener grass, or is simply getting frustrated at having to eat his peas, pull this one out and give him his very own glossy guide to running away from home.
Attention-hogging baby sisters, warty slug big brothers, moms who throw away your candy wrapper collection or dads that ignores you - all very good reasons for running away. This is the first piece of advice given by the protagonist of the story - Have a Really Good Reason. Next you need to pack, say goodbye to your pets, leave a note and last, make a big exit.
Once your gone, you are not to look back, especially not at the time your dad taught you how to swim, or the time your brother helped you find rocks for your collection. Whatever you do, never think about your mom's spaghetti or how cozy it is in your warm bed.
I don't want to ruin the big finish in The Beginner's Guide to Running Away From Home, but let's just say, it's just what you hope for.
When this book landed on my desk, I was immediately taken by the look of it. Red Nose Studio brings every day objects and clay figures together in every page. Each spread is a photograph of an imaginative layout, with fine-tuned attention to detail. Each time you and your child look at this book, you will find something new!
If your youngster is looking to pack his bags for greener grass, or is simply getting frustrated at having to eat his peas, pull this one out and give him his very own glossy guide to running away from home.
June 28, 2013
I love the conversational text, the cinematic diorama scenes, and the super humor. Our hero's reasons for leaving: "It's never my turn to pick the TV show. That dumb baby. Peas. PEAS. PEAS!" are admirably concise and well-stated. And I laughed out loud when he pins his note "where your parents can't miss it" - on the baby.
But in truth, Red Nose Studios bought my admiration on the first page, where the refrigerator is decorated with a drawing of an AT-AT walker. My Ezra could have drawn that picture when he was 4, and we would have put it on the fridge.
But in truth, Red Nose Studios bought my admiration on the first page, where the refrigerator is decorated with a drawing of an AT-AT walker. My Ezra could have drawn that picture when he was 4, and we would have put it on the fridge.
July 9, 2013
This one was a bit of a let-down... I loved Red Nose Studio's illustrations for Here Comes the Garbage Barge, but they don't work quite as well here. Still a great story, still cool illustrations for the most part (his humans in this book are creepy-looking, whereas the garbage barge-driver in the last book was PERFECT), but just not quite up to par overall.
September 23, 2013
This book was hilarious, a great read for K-3. The illustrations style was crazy cool and original. It reminded me vaguely of Wallace and Gromet, or the I Spy Books, or Gumby. I'm not sure what exactly, but it reminded me of SOMETHING awesome. I also loved the sketches over the other style to show what the boy was imagining.
June 28, 2015
The illustrations eventually grew on me but they were rather creepy at first.
This would be a good mentor text to use to talk about 2nd person POV, but could also be a fun prompt for having students write their own "Beginner's Guide to _________."
This would be a good mentor text to use to talk about 2nd person POV, but could also be a fun prompt for having students write their own "Beginner's Guide to _________."
April 17, 2021
While the clay images, at first glance, tend to be spooky looking, the accompanying story is fun.
As the middle child notes, if you are planning to run away, you better have a reason. He has three reasons -- a baby sister who gets all the attention because she never, never stops crying, a brother who loudly plays his music in the basement. The run away calls him a "big, warty slug."
It seems they get all the attention. And, worse than anything, his mother threw away his collection of candy wrappers saved for a long, long time in order to be used as wall paper for his bedroom.
That is it!!!! He is leaving. Looking round his bedroom, he chooses the favorite toy to put on the top of the wagon along with the box of snacks of graham crackers, and a large box of gummy worms. Then he packs gum so he does not have to brush his teeth. A pillow and blanket is included, but no pjs because he will sleep in what he wears.
He buries his face in his pets and tells them he is sorry to leave them because, after all, it is not their fault his family is so darn mean.
Off he goes, taping the note where he knows the parents will find it, right where the bratty, cry baby is! As he piles his wagon, travels down the hill, away from all those pesky things he wants to put far behind, he discovers that home isn't all that bad. And, he returns into the waiting arms of his mother!
As the middle child notes, if you are planning to run away, you better have a reason. He has three reasons -- a baby sister who gets all the attention because she never, never stops crying, a brother who loudly plays his music in the basement. The run away calls him a "big, warty slug."
It seems they get all the attention. And, worse than anything, his mother threw away his collection of candy wrappers saved for a long, long time in order to be used as wall paper for his bedroom.
That is it!!!! He is leaving. Looking round his bedroom, he chooses the favorite toy to put on the top of the wagon along with the box of snacks of graham crackers, and a large box of gummy worms. Then he packs gum so he does not have to brush his teeth. A pillow and blanket is included, but no pjs because he will sleep in what he wears.
He buries his face in his pets and tells them he is sorry to leave them because, after all, it is not their fault his family is so darn mean.
Off he goes, taping the note where he knows the parents will find it, right where the bratty, cry baby is! As he piles his wagon, travels down the hill, away from all those pesky things he wants to put far behind, he discovers that home isn't all that bad. And, he returns into the waiting arms of his mother!
December 31, 2019
Artwork is wow.
October 2, 2013
This book is a humorous look at running away from home done in the format of an instructional booklet on how exactly to run away. First you have to find a reason for running away, perhaps a new baby, or your older brother can stay up later than you, or your mother threw away your candy wrapper collection. Then you have to pack, make sure to take plenty of snacks including gum, that way you won’t need a toothbrush. Then comes the farewell note. Make it sad enough that your parents will cry when they find it. Now you need to figure out where to live. Keep walking until you can’t see your house anymore, then stop for a snack. And think about living in the park forever, or if living with a friend would be better than at home. But don’t think about what you like about your family at all or you might find yourself running back home.
Huget’s tone is perfect in her text. She manages to be humorous about the situation but also not dismissive of the feelings that the child has. Her wording works very nicely aloud, making this a book that is best shared and giggled at together.
Red Nose Studio, the illustrators of Here Comes the Garbage Barge, continue with their signature 3-D figures. They use perspective very cleverly here, offering different levels of focus that show speed and point the eye to where they want you to look first. The result are illustrations that are unique and dynamic.
Thanks to the humor and the illustrations, this is a book about running away that is worth seeking out. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Huget’s tone is perfect in her text. She manages to be humorous about the situation but also not dismissive of the feelings that the child has. Her wording works very nicely aloud, making this a book that is best shared and giggled at together.
Red Nose Studio, the illustrators of Here Comes the Garbage Barge, continue with their signature 3-D figures. They use perspective very cleverly here, offering different levels of focus that show speed and point the eye to where they want you to look first. The result are illustrations that are unique and dynamic.
Thanks to the humor and the illustrations, this is a book about running away that is worth seeking out. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
July 10, 2013
The protagonist of this picture book is the middle child age 6-10 (?) of a family. Our narrator is directly addressing the reader as he explains how to run away.
As he instructs the reader, he himself is running away from home (because his "big warty slug" of an older brother gets to stay up later than him, and his parents are "going gaga" over his baby sister). He considers where to run to (the park, his grandmother's house, a friend's house), and settles on the playground.
The illustrations look like something out of a Tim Burton stop motion movie. I especially love that the protagonist's imaginings and fears are drawn over the photographs in child like scribbles.
While I can see parents recoiling from the way the boy feels about his family I thought it was hilarious; in part because it was so true and the tone of the boy is dead on. As the story progresses the boy comes to miss his home and family and returns to them both.
As he instructs the reader, he himself is running away from home (because his "big warty slug" of an older brother gets to stay up later than him, and his parents are "going gaga" over his baby sister). He considers where to run to (the park, his grandmother's house, a friend's house), and settles on the playground.
The illustrations look like something out of a Tim Burton stop motion movie. I especially love that the protagonist's imaginings and fears are drawn over the photographs in child like scribbles.
While I can see parents recoiling from the way the boy feels about his family I thought it was hilarious; in part because it was so true and the tone of the boy is dead on. As the story progresses the boy comes to miss his home and family and returns to them both.
March 17, 2014
Brought this one home just for fun and we had a blast with it. The author has some serious dark comedy here - the middle child in the family feels neglected by his parents and narrates the steps required to successfully run away (including suggesting a good spot to leave your final note - right on the baby sister's chest) and really it was worth reading aloud to the 12-year old just to laugh as a family.
Might be a bit too sad for the younger kids because the expressions on the faces of the humans (and pets) were particularly touching and made us ache a bit. Each page had something to talk about and were worth returning to several times. We've had it on the coffee table in the living room for over a week and have returned to it often. We all loved this book and thought that the details on each page knocked it up a notch to a 5 1/2 stars!
Might be a bit too sad for the younger kids because the expressions on the faces of the humans (and pets) were particularly touching and made us ache a bit. Each page had something to talk about and were worth returning to several times. We've had it on the coffee table in the living room for over a week and have returned to it often. We all loved this book and thought that the details on each page knocked it up a notch to a 5 1/2 stars!
July 15, 2013
This is a cute story that many will find familiar. The youngster who feels his family treats him poorly so he decides to run away. In fact, this young boy will teach you and everyone else the finer points of escaping the unfairness that is his family. Of course, once he is away he has to convince himself not to remember the good things his family members have done for him. He also must decide where he is running away to, something that he neglected in his early preparations. The illustrations were creative, but a little too offbeat for my taste. My 7-year-old son also found them a little off-putting.
July 26, 2016
This book is awesome! The story by Jennifer Larue Huget is humorously middle-child angsty, touching, and spot on and the illustrations done by Red Nose Studio rule! The claymation-type characters and dollhouse-style settings illustrating the story are slightly bizarre and oddly wonderful (love the pet rabbit and check out that pet "fish"!). Each page in the book is a treasure. The people reminded me a bit of Wallace & Gromit (and, in my head, they spoke with British accents, too). Loved it! Found this gem at the library, but I have to buy a copy (or two) - one for the grandsons and one for myself!
October 15, 2012
I got this as an ebook ARC. I REALLY liked the images, but as far as the story...meh. Also, I don't know if this is because it was an ebook, but the font they used didn't quite match the quirkiness of the art or the story. They used a really plain Calibri font, and I think something more like what they used on the cover would have been better.
July 5, 2013
What do you do if your baby sister gets all the attention? And you older brother gets to stay up a whole hour later than you? And your mother threw away your collection of candy wrappers that you were saving? Maybe you should run away. That will show them. Don't know how that works? Well check out this book and you will learn all about running away from home.
June 28, 2014
Cute, and fun artwork (clay models, I think, or really clever computer generated art that looks like clay models), but a bit too advanced for my storytimes. Probably great for older preschool or elementary kids!
December 4, 2013
Not a fan of the creepy-looking three dimensional characters.
July 13, 2013
Really interesting illustrations in this one. Whimsical yet somehow very solid. Thinking I need to research this illustrator a bit!
Adorable story as well. There were some very funny lines.
Adorable story as well. There were some very funny lines.
July 24, 2013
the idea of the book is good-show how to appreciate your family despite your frustrations--but the pictures are so disturbingly creepy and the writing is so clumsy and forced.
August 30, 2013
So cute! Love the illustrations and so funny.
August 20, 2015
The illustrations (photos of hand-made 3D sets) are fascinating, lovable, and a wee bit creepy. The story is cute with a clever voice to the writing, but it didn't rock my world or anything.
February 5, 2019
This book is about a boy who decides he is running away from home because his life just isn't fair, and he explains step-by-step the process of running away. The first thing you need is a reason. The second step is to pack. The third is to write a note and stick it where the parents won't miss it. Then it's time to storm out of the house and decide where you're going. But through all of this, maybe running away from home isn't such a great idea. He tries not to think about all the good memories or his family too much, but it's too hard not to remember. He decides, maybe it's time to give them another chance. Things aren't as bad as he remembers when he finally returns home. However, if they don't treat him right, he just might have to run away from home again.
This book was pretty good. I liked the humorous undertone of the story. If I were to use this in my classroom, I could use it in a unit about family. I could have my kids list all the good things about their family that would prevent them from running away from home and emphasize the importance of family and the love of a home.
This book was pretty good. I liked the humorous undertone of the story. If I were to use this in my classroom, I could use it in a unit about family. I could have my kids list all the good things about their family that would prevent them from running away from home and emphasize the importance of family and the love of a home.
July 20, 2018
This is a fun picture book to use as a mentor text for informational writing - especially "how-to." The main character walks you through the steps regarding how to run away from home. It begins on the title page with the character telling you he's busy because he's getting ready to run away from home. When he finds out you don't know how to run away, he tells you all the things you need and how to do it. I really like that it leads you through with transitions that are not first, second, and third. Further, it's fun because he also leads you through the idea of going back home which is really the best place. I personally find the illustrations a little disturbing. They are photographs of live "doll" models the illustrator creates. But, I do like the variety of text types and flow of the book.
December 21, 2018
Reading Level: 3.0
Book Summary: This book is HILARIOUS! It goes through all of the steps of running away, so if you have been planning on running away and just need some tips, this is the book for you. I love how many ways you can use the book in the classroom, it is fun for all ages!
Bookshelf Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Characteristics to support the genre: This is something that could actually happen.
Bookshelf mentor traits:
• Ideas - This is the best, most unexpected idea for a book.
• Voice - The voice in the book is perfect. I love that he is telling you each move he makes and everything you will need to know about running away rather than having a narrator.
Classroom Integration: I will use this book to explain how to write a personal narrative, informational text, and just to bring humor to my classroom.
Book Summary: This book is HILARIOUS! It goes through all of the steps of running away, so if you have been planning on running away and just need some tips, this is the book for you. I love how many ways you can use the book in the classroom, it is fun for all ages!
Bookshelf Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Characteristics to support the genre: This is something that could actually happen.
Bookshelf mentor traits:
• Ideas - This is the best, most unexpected idea for a book.
• Voice - The voice in the book is perfect. I love that he is telling you each move he makes and everything you will need to know about running away rather than having a narrator.
Classroom Integration: I will use this book to explain how to write a personal narrative, informational text, and just to bring humor to my classroom.
February 4, 2018
This book is about a kid who wants to run away from home. His baby sister is liked more and gets all of the attention, his brother gets to stay up later than him, and his parents threw about his collection that he worked hard on. He explains what you need to pack in your bag and how to pack it. Lastly, he picks the place to run away too. He goes to the park and has fun but when it is night time, he is scared of bears and wants his bed. He decides to give his family one last chance, and goes home.
This book was cute. The illustrations were cute and I loved getting to see kid's imaginations.
This book can be used in a classroom to tell students that there is no place like home. Even though, they may feel like running away, your family will always be there for you.
This book was cute. The illustrations were cute and I loved getting to see kid's imaginations.
This book can be used in a classroom to tell students that there is no place like home. Even though, they may feel like running away, your family will always be there for you.
November 9, 2020
Not sure if the end of this book gives a positive message to kids that have ever considered running away.
It was clear that a middle child can sometimes feel jealousy from older and younger siblings and other challenging emotions, but running away looked like the best alternative, which could ignite ideas in kids facing similar situations.
The approach to his discomfort and resolution were lightly explored and ultimately confusing.
The images were a bit creepy too.
It was clear that a middle child can sometimes feel jealousy from older and younger siblings and other challenging emotions, but running away looked like the best alternative, which could ignite ideas in kids facing similar situations.
The approach to his discomfort and resolution were lightly explored and ultimately confusing.
The images were a bit creepy too.
March 27, 2018
I loved this adorable tale of a young boy who is fed up with numerous aspects of his home life. The Beginner’s Guide to Running Away chronicles how one would go about freeing themselves from the constraints of family and heading out to make their own way. The mixed media illustrations are fantastic, filled with humorous expressions that perfectly complement the entertaining narrative.
July 30, 2020
I liked this more than I thought I would, especially once the illustrations had the dolls/sculptures AND line drawings. The running away from home storyline was a little cliche, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews