The Runaway Pea

Runaway Pea

by Kjartan Poskitt, Alex Willmore (Illustrations)

It's time for tea, but one pesky pea has decided to ping himself off the plate in search of a party!

The rogue pea shoots, flings and bounces across the kitchen as he embarks on his perilous adventure - but will he find the fun he is looking for or is the kitchen a scarier place than he thought?

This quirky caper from debut duo Kjartan Poskitt and Alex Willmore will show you just what can happen when you take your eye off your dinner for a second!

PRAISE FOR THE RUNAWAY PEA :

‘A runaway success’ – Philip Ardagh

'Kids will enjoy . . . Poskitt’s lively rhyming verse as the pea plops, splashes, bangs and twangs his way across the kitchen' –   The Observer

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Storytime, Childrens, Humor, Adventure, Fiction

32 pages, ebook

Published July 11, 2019

About the author

Kjartan Poskitt is an author and TV presenter who is best known for writing the Murderous Maths children's series of books. Poskitt was educated at Collingwood College, Durham. In addition to his popular science and maths books, which include books on Isaac Newton (Dead Famous: Isaac Newton and his Apple), puzzles, practical jokes and secred codes, Poskitt has written a book of magical tricks, a GCSE Maths support book and four Rosie and Jim annuals. In 2007, Poskit published the first in a new series of children's novels called Urgum the Axeman.

He also wrote the theme tune for the children's art program SMart, as well as the title theme and music for the first two series of Brum. He is also the creator of a logic puzzle, Kjarposko.

He has been a presenter for a number of (mostly BBC) educational children's TV shows.

Reviews

[Marcela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a huge hit at our house.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An impish green pea pings off a plate in hopes of adventure. He encounters many different pitfalls – a dog’s tail, a fish tank, a toaster, and more – until he finally ends up under the fridge with some errant, moldy fruit. He acknowledges defeat, but finds new life in the compost heap as a new pea plant.

This is a rollicking, fun story told in rhyme, and the illustrator gives the pea so much personality (for a pea.) I loved watching its face – when its little pea cheeks are puffed out holding in breath under water, I laughed out loud. I love the inclusion of how a pea plant can grow so easily from a pea when planted.

(The first stanza didn’t perfectly rhyme when I read it, but then I realized that the book was originally published in Great Britain. I amused myself by reading it out loud with a British accent and then “force” rhymed nicely with “sauce.”)

[Miriam Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading with Eban

[Sirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One little pea decides to make a break for it and springs off the plate. He knows it's naughty, but there's so much to see! But peas aren't meant to live long off the plate, and soon this little legume realizes he may have made a fatal error.

This is so much fun to read! The rhythm and rhyme are impeccable and the story delightful. I giggled at the pea's escapades. I sighed at the tragic moments. My heart lifted at the end. Really, this is the kind of book I want on my shelf so that I can pull it out whenever I need a smile. Sure, it has a lovely little moral that suggests a mistake might not be the end: it could be a new beginning. But this book isn't about the moral. It's about having fun, and it does this admirably.

[meri · Rating 4 out of 5]

the only problem with children’s books is that they’re so short. this was v fun and my godson loves it

[Chloe Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very colourful book with funny illustrations. The runaway pea is a funny book. There is a lovely pattern to the writing and the font for words, such as “plop” and “splash”, are used to give the word an effect and make it more interesting by highlighting the word. I loved the ending!

You could do a unit of work on this book for EYFS and KS1.
It’s great for looking at the theme of an adventure and resilience.
You could do shared/group writing about where the runaway pea would go next.
There is a good opportunity for exploring healthy eating, both through discussion and physical experiences. For instance, you could provide an opportunity for creating a healthy meal with peas and other vegetables, or plant vegetables in an allotment.
This book could also be good for looking at global citizenship and sustainability.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry to be a downer on this book, but a pea that's been cooked will not sprout--and definitely not a pea that's been through all this pea has experienced throughout the book. Yes, I get that peas don't talk and move on their own in the first place, but if a book attempts to address the cycle of growing and reproducing, THAT part at least should be accurate. Art is cute, though.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pea gets jostled and shuttled around the kitchen. This seems like an overly active household to have so many activity going on that propel the pea on to the next place, haha. The pea ends up outside and grows his own pea plant (which...if he was a cooked pea, wouldn't have happened, right?). Some of the rhyming and onomatopeia was charming but I had a hard time turning off my grown-up brain on this one.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rhyming story about an adventurous pea who leaps off a dinner plate in search of some fun. I liked the bright, colourful illustrations as well as the onomatopoeia in bold. A good choice for young readers interested in food, and could be used as a resource for learning about healthy eating and growing your own fruits and vegetables.

Published in the UK, so a few of the rhymes require putting on an accent, which I thought added to the fun!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Runaway Pea is a vibrant, colorful and entertaining story of a pea who decides life in the kitchen is not so great so goes on an adventure! The rhyming and pictures make this entertaining for early readers. It would be suitable when discussing topics such as healthy eating, where our food comes from.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The other veggies etch as one pea pings himself off the dinner plate in search of adventure. Despite and inauspicious beginning to his adventures, The Runaway Pea manages to have some fun before finding himself stuck with other lost fruits and veggies. Will this be the end of his fun?

Funny read for elementary students. Recommended for any libraries serving elementary students.

[Rosalina Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was in the reading corner of my Reception placement classroom. The children loved me reading this book to them, it was very amusing and entertaining for all ability children. I loved the illustrations because it allowed the children to understand what was going on without having to read the text.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Runaway pea is a colourful book with a simple story pattern. The book utilises onomatopoeia to maximise the readers engagement. The book gives the opportunity to discuss recycling and life cycles.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and dynamic story of a pea that chooses to runaway from tea and his adventures. Great use of predictive page questioning and vocabulary, the quirky and fun illustrations add the right amount of pizazz to this pea’s daring journey. Great for storytimes. Highly recommended.

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my young niece, who loved it. An engaging book full of rhyme and onomatopoeia coupled with colourful illustrations. It would be a great book for Reception and KS1 - creates lots of questions and discussion throughout.

[Emily]

This book was a hoot! I thought it addressed some good topics while also telling a fun tale of a runaway pea like composting. I had to chuckle at the ominous message at what happens to the produce that decides to be "naughty." Fun read.

[Emily Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and unique. Pea escapes from the dinner plate and ends up going on a misadventure. It's a bit entertaining and has some funny moments. Could be good for storytime -- vegetable themed or letter "p" themed.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhyming great. Hilarious fun.
My favorite page is when the pea rolls under the refrigerator with "a dried-up banana and two moldy grapes. "We don't recommend it, (running away," they whimpered quite sadly. "You'll get old and wrinkled and start to smell badly."

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter thought this was hilarious, especially the part where his bottom is on fire. She laughed at pretty much every page. I enjoyed that this book was about vegetables. I also really loved the ending.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm adding this one to the collection of hilarious books along with Jory John, Ryan Higgins and Ross Burach. Filled with onomatopoeia and rhyming verse, this is a great book to read for a library story time or for a one on one story with your child.

[Julie Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little story with a nice plot, happy ending and rhyming that is perfect to read out loud to children. I shall be recommending to visitors to the bookshop

[Indijup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story about a pea that runs away, Lots of rhyming and an enjoyable plot. The pictures are great and there is a lovely ending.

[Hayley Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun story about a pea who wanted to get away. He finally realised when it was too late that this wasn't a good idea. Everyrhing did turn out OK in the end. Useful links to science - plants.

[Carol (bookish_notes)]

Dec 19, 2020: Illustrator told booktuber he was rude for making a year end video about books he didn’t like???

[Aaron Levene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slightly perilous pea adventures. Maybe scary for the very sensitive but brilliant funny rhymes and original seer story.

[Capn · Rating 5 out of 5]

British rhyming... force / sauce? No. The little pea has butt cheeks, which get toasted... good for a giggle, certainly

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new favourite of mine! A picture book with rhyme which even encourages food recycling! A really fab book!

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
“Ping!”

Excellent veg based adventure filled with anthropomorphic onomatopoeia - why is it a great book? Because he’s happea….!

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such fun rhyming!

[Charlotte Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, fun story book. It rhymes lovely and has a funny little narrative to it. The highlight on recycling is good.