The Runaway Pea
Runaway Pea Series
What’s inside...
It's time for tea, but one mischievous pea has escaped from the plate in pursuit of a party. As it bounces around the kitchen, the pea encounters various obstacles and adventures. This humorous story by Kjartan Poskitt and Alex Willmore is filled with lively rhymes and showcases the unexpected escapades that can occur when you're not watching your food. Praised for its lively verse and engaging narrative, this book is perfect for fans of playful and whimsical children's stories. 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?
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the pea want to run away?
How do you think the pea felt when it was rolling and bouncing all over?
What are some of the funniest parts of the pea’s adventure?
If you were the pea, what would you have done differently during your adventure?
How do you think the story would have changed if the pea had friends along for the adventure?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express how they feel about the pea’s choices and adventures, reinforcing there are no wrong answers, just imaginative ideas.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene, helping them connect visually and emotionally with the story.
Use different voices for different characters during the read-aloud to make the storytelling more dynamic and engaging.
Discuss the concept of independence and adventure, relating them to everyday experiences that your child might encounter.
After finishing the book, encourage your child to come up with their own ending or an additional adventure for the pea, boosting creativity and critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Independence
Explanation: The Runaway Pea showcases the pea's adventurous journey after it escapes from a dinner plate, illustrating the theme of seeking independence and exploring the world.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to embrace small acts of independence in safe environments, fostering confidence and self-reliance in their personal growth.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: Throughout its journey, the pea encounters various challenges and consequences due to its decision to roll away, teaching readers about cause and effect.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to think about the outcomes of their choices, helping them to make responsible decisions in their daily activities.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Obstacles
Explanation: Despite numerous obstacles, the pea perseveres and continues its adventure, emphasizing the importance of resilience.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to persevere through their own challenges, whether it’s solving a difficult puzzle, learning a new skill, or navigating social situations.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: The pea's journey is driven by its curiosity about the world outside the dinner plate, highlighting the value of exploring and learning about new environments.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be inquisitive about the world around them, promoting learning through exploration and inquiry.
Example Lesson: Understanding Limits and Boundaries
Explanation: As the pea navigates through its environment, it learns about the limits and safe boundaries of exploration.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of recognizing and respecting boundaries in various aspects of life, ensuring their safety while exploring or interacting with others.