The Runaway

Author Bio - Marianne CooperA writer before she could even write, children's book author Marianne Cooper would draw pictures as a child and record her stories on a portable recorder. She was hooked and aspired to pen children's books ever since. Marianne gets her book ideas from everyday life, her children, and even her pets. Her current picture book, The Runaway, is a precious book that gently addresses the sometimes-hopeless feeling of anxiety and was inspired by a child who experiences this. She hopes her young readers will come away from her book understanding that anxiety comes in all shapes and forms and can happen to people of all ages.Marianne believes a good picture book is one that captures the reader's attention from the very beginning, and whose storytelling is visually supported by its illustrations. She wants to impart a lesson that, while running away from problems is never the answer, discussion and imagining them a different way can help. She hopes her words make a difference to children and that her illustrations bring them joy.When she's not writing and illustrating thought-provoking picture books for children, Marianne enjoys reading, painting, and hanging out with her husband and four children. She lives with her family and two dogs, three cats, two guinea pigs and a handful of hermit crabs, in Virginia. The Runaway is her debut children's book.

Does your child ever feel frustrated or anxious? In this magical story, a boy discovers that running away may not be the best answer to his problems. Follow along on his magical journey as he tries to find peace among his chaos. Suitable for children of all ages!

A sad and frustrated boy runs away from home on a
magical journey to find inner peace.

Fighting parents. A pestering sister. Making mistakes. For this frustrated boy, trying to be good all the time is exhausting. When he tries to get away from it all by running away, will he find the peace he is looking for? Artfully written by Marianne Cooper and featuring her dreamlike and painterly illustrations, picture book The Runaway conveys that running away from our big feelings is never the answer.

Sad, scared, and worried, the boy's emotions make him feel that he needs to get away from it all, to find a calm and peace that eludes him at home. It is too much for him to bear.
"As the sun slipped further behind the horizon, the boy stood up. He glanced back at his house one last time, and then he turned and ran. He pumped his arms and legs as fast as they would allow, but he could not get away fast enough."

As he runs, he transforms into strong, brave creatures that can take him faster and farther-a powerful horse galloping through a field, a massive wolf bounding with ease through the forest, a majestic eagle soaring away through the sky, and more. The further he runs, the further he gets away from everything he wishes to forget. He finally gets as far enough away as he can and he is all alone. But this loneliness, is it what will bring him peace, after all?