The Runaway Dinner

When Banjo’s sausage makes a run for it one sunny summer’s day, he’s following in the footsteps of such notable edible escapees as the Pancake, the Chappati and the notorious Gingerbread Boy. But this unbelievably hilarious nonsense story is told by Ahlberg in such a confidential and conversational tone that you must surely believe him when he says ‘it’s all true.’

How can you not believe it’s true when the sausage, the carrots, peas and fries (French of course), and the plate, not to mention the boiled egg and the cricket ball, all have names. And of course, you’dexpect the park benches to admire the running style of the table, and an old lady to sit on the unfit chair and Peter (pea) to climb a tree to hide from the pursuers. And when you’d finally cornered Melvin (sausage) in the park and were about to devour him, what else would your mother shout but, ‘Don’t eat that, it’s been on the floor!’?

I found it impossible not to laugh out loud at first reading and have since had audiences (child and adult) doubled up with laughter. Clearly, Ingham greatly enjoyed himself illustrating the action in a naive throwaway style and showing us little extra storylines not alluded to in the text. A must for all ages.