The Runaway Pea - by Kjartan Poskitt (Hardcover)

About the Book

"It's dinnertime, and one pesky pea has decided to ping himself off the plate in search of fun. He hops, skips, and bounces across the kitchen. But the house if a perilous place, and our rogue pea might find more adventure that he bargained for!" -- Book jacket.

Book Synopsis

This silly and quirky dinnertime caper about a rebellious pea's adventures shows what can happen when you take your eyes off your food--perfect for fans of Sue Hendra, Paul Linnet, and Jory John!

It's time for dinner, but one pesky pea has decided to roll 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?

Review Quotes

"This chipper British import keeps the action high as the pea pinballs from catastrophe to calamity. Clever perspectives amp the slapstick, and the anthropomorphic pea--he has two wide eyes and a mouth but no limbs--is surprisingly expressive. Expert rhymes scan without strain, keeping the merriment high (with the help of the occasional butt joke). Even if peas aren't any particular child reader's favorite food, the twist at the end may encourage budding gardeners to experiment with some plantings of their own. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Don't play with your food. Find food at play!"--Kirkus Reviews "May 1, 2021"

Poskitt's lively, rhyming story coupled with Willmore's colorful, action-packed illustrations create a romping recommended purchase. Pair with the evil pea in ­Hendra's Supertato and readers will find two animated peas in a pod. Recommended for classrooms and story times, this delightful read-aloud is sure to be gobbled up by ­delighted young ­readers.--School Library Journal "August 2021"

About the Author

Kjartan Poskitt's books have been translated into thirty languages and include the Murderous Maths series, as well as books on space, puzzles, and magic. He has also written funny children's fiction including Urgum the Axeman, Borgon the Axeboy and the Whispering Temple, the award-winning Agatha Parrot series, and The Runaway Pea.

Alex Willmore is an illustrator/designer whose passion lies in character design. Born in Northampton, England, Alex has been drawing characters since the moment he first picked up a pencil. A love of animals and picture books have inspired him and led to a career in illustration. Alex has been twice nominated for the Sheffield Children's Book Award, was long-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2020, and is currently nominated for The Federation of Children's Book Groups Children's Book Award 2020.