Alfie Runs Away

by Kenneth M. Cadow, Lauren Castillo (Illustrator)

Alfie's mother wants to get rid of his favorite red shoes he's outgrown. So Alfie is running away. His mother points out that he might get thirsty on his trip, and she gives him a bottle of nice cold water. And a flashlight, in case it gets dark. Together, they pack everything Alfie might need. But once he is out in the wide world, Alfie discovers that some very important things can't be packed in bags.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction, Parenting, Realistic Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Kenneth M. Cadow is an art teacher. He lives in Norwich, Vermont. This is his first picture book.

Reviews

[Carrie Gelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alfie is upset and decides to run away announcing it emphatically. His mother "helps" him be ready. Absolutely captures the sentiments of both mother and child.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A standalone (so far) children’s picture book taking a realistic approach, lol, to an angry young man.

My Take
I love it!! It’s third-person point-of-view, as Cadow portrays Mom with that understanding helpfulness while Castillo’s blend of colored pencils and charcoal are gloriously clean with color judiciously applied to the important subjects of that page spread.

I love it. I know, I know, I said that already, but really, I love it. Alfie is so standoffish about his mom’s helpfulness, and I did adore that hug. The overpacking was quite practical as well, lol.

It’s a case of allowing your child to assert his (or her) independence and come to the right conclusions in their own time…without being badgered about it. In fact, I suspect this might be a better story for Mom and Dad to take a lesson from, even though it would be fun for everyone. Think of all the speculating y’all could do about what you’d put in that bag!

The Story
Enough is enough. They’re his favorite shoes, and there is no way that Alfie is gonna let Mom throw them away.

He’ll show her…and save his shoes!

The Characters
Alfie is quite decided about what he’ll take. Buddy Bear wants to go too. Mom is perfect.

The Cover and Title
The cover has a white wall with a pencil textured floor over a pale gray. A baseboard has been lined in with the same thickness of charcoal used to outline that runaway bag with Buddy Bear in suspenders popping out of it. Young Alfie, in an olive green-on-fern green horizontal-striped T-shirt over black cuffed pants, white socks, and red slip-ons, has the straps of the bag hooked over his shoulders and a determined look and step as he strides off to the right. The title uses the same red to outline the teddy-bear brown fill for the letters. These colors are repeated in the author’s and illustrator’s names just below the title. Nice, clean, and direct.

The title is the whole point when Alfie Runs Away.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nearly every child, at one time or another, decided to run away from home. Alfie has decided to leave because his mom wants to get rid of his favorite red shoes. When he declares his intentions, his mother helps him get his things together and puts an extra hug in the bag. He doesn’t get very far before he wants that hug. This story is very sweet, and all kids will definitely be able to relate. Young writers might even be inspired to write their own runaway stories. Lauren Castillo’s heartwarming illustrations help make this book extra special.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children really care about what they have on their feet; we had an instance of that this morning, when my five-year-old insisted that only white or gray socks can go with his black sandals, which he wore barefoot before the weather turned cold.

Black socks—no way. Last week, with his gray ones on, he stuck up a foot, and said, "Doesn't that look snifty?"

His personal experience had him resonating with this book.

[Haley Catlett]

This book would be an easy read for ages 1st-3rd graders who are still trying to learn to read.

[Paul Mashack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not even gonna lie, I loaded up on a few kids' books from my local library and finished reading them just minutes before midnight to surpass my reading goal for the year.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alfie’s mother has gone too far! She wants to give away his favorite shoes and get him new ones. So Alfie decides to run away. As he packs his things, his mother makes helpful suggestions, like taking a water bottle, snacks and a flashlight. She gets him a bag to help carry his items, suggests he take his teddy bear and some books too. With all that to carry, Alfie can’t go far. But he does make it all the way deep into the backyard, still wearing his too-small beloved shoes. When he gets there, he has a drink, a snack, and takes his shoes off and puts his aching feet in the cool grass. When he takes them off, he puts them on his bear where they fit perfectly. Now the only thing missing was the hug he refused earlier. Luckily, his mother is headed out to see him with her arms open wide.

The tone in this book is spot on. Cadow both respects Alfie’s perspective on the situation and yet shows a loving, warm mother who allows Alfie to learn his own lessons. There are lovely moments in the book where Alfie’s mother gently suggests he not wear those shoes and when she offers to put his rejected hug in his bag to carry along with him. Cadow manages to show Alfie’s frustration and his mothers calmness side by side without either overshadowing the other.

Castillo’s illustrations feature the shoes in bright red as a focal point. She too balances the relationship of mother and son visually. Her illustrations have soft edges and feel cozy and warm. They ensure that children will not be alarmed at this boy running away. Alfie’s facial expressions really project his moods clearly, moving from his initial anger to contentment at the end.

I packed my bags and ran away as a little girl. All the way down the driveway and over to a bush in the neighbors yard. I had no idea my mother could still see me out the window. I was sure I had gone far, far away. This book captures the situation with simplicity and honesty. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a fairly common theme: running away to escape. The mother was very obliging and helped her son, which intrigued me at first, because I wasn't sure what to expect. But then I saw how much stuff she gave him to carry, knowing he wouldn't be able to make it very far. It was an interesting compromise between the mother and the son. This story had a sweet message and a happy ending, I’d probably recommend.

*Taken from My Sentiments Exactly!: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2013...

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfie runs away from home, and his mom helps him pack his bags. He finally makes it to the backyard, when he opens his bag looking for the hug that his mom said she put in his back. When he can't find it he turns to run home, and his mom is already making his way towards him.

Classroom: We can predict what we think is going to happen, and then talk about why he wanted to run away, and what you would do. What you run away? Where would you go?

[Shira Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book Alfie is faced with a social issue that often occurs between parents and their children. Alfie wanted to do what he wanted to do, not what he his parents wanted him to do. So to avoid having to follow his mom's rules he decided to run away. However, sooner than later, Alfie realizes home might not be so bad after all.

[Judy Desetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who hasn't wanted to run away as a child? This is a story most kids will relate to. Meant for the very young, PK- 1. Alfie takes his beloved things and runs away rather than lose his favorite shoes. He makes it only to the backyard before he misses home. Illustrations are good and go well with the story.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alfie's favorite shoes are now too small and need to be replaced, and in protest, Alfie decides to run away to the far corner of the yard. His mom is ever so helpful in suggesting things he may need, including a hug in his bag. Children who don't like change, or have contemplated running away, will relate to this story

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Alfie wants to run away, Mom is very understanding and helpful. The progression of the story is seamless and so natural. Alfie even figures out how to solve the problem that was the catalyst for him to run away.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alfie runs away when his mom tells him to give up his shoes that are too small for him. Alfie's adventure only gets him as far as his backyard. This is a great story to share one-on-one with any child whose ever had a moment of stubborness.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this sweet story about Alfie, who protests his mom wanting to give away his favorite, red shoes. He solves his problem by running away. Lucky for Alfie his mom helps him pack for his long trip! Illustrations by the talented Lauren Castillo, accompany this sweet story!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, cute book. I readit to my 5 year old and he loved it.

[Natasha North · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "overload the would-be young runaway with heavy objects so they can't get far" thing has been done before, but the illustrations are adorable and the tale is nicely told.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy learns that it might be better just to let his mother buy him a new pair of shoes.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be required reading for every parent. Tis a great example of allowing a child room to grow, yet protected.

[Beth Kakuma-Depew · Rating 3 out of 5]

the concept of "running away" in anger didn't really make sense to my boys, but the 4 year old liked the idea of going on an adventure with a bear friend.

[Laura Giessler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren Castillo's illustrations are beautiful in this book about running away. But why is Mom so insistent on giving away the red shoes? And he ends up keeping them at the end anyway?

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and funny.

[Rshogren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story, illustrations were okay.

[Rani · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Alfie runs away, he waits for #hug!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

April 2017 - I love the way Alfie's mom helps him back, and the resolution is great.

[Stephanie]

1. Awards the book has received:
This book has not received any awards.
2. Appropriate grade level(s):
This book would be appropriate for children in third grade or higher.
3. Summary: This book is about a little boy name Alfie who is very mad that his mother is going to give away his favorite shoes. They are too small for him but he is so mad he decides to run away. His mother reminds him of what he might need to run away. Alfie realizes he doesn’t want to really run away and he solves his own internal problem by realizing his shoes will never get too small for his Buddy Bear.
Review: Alfie’s problem is common for children of many ages and even though not every child might have a favorite pair, every child grows and this is important to point out to children. The Plot of the story is a good length to teach children different literary elements. However, the climax of this story and it’s length would not make it an appropriate book for younger children or early readers.
4. 2-3 possible in-class uses:
-have the students make story maps in small groups
-have the children show and share about their favorite things
-make a class list of things we consider “necessities” like the things Alfie’s mom suggested he take with him