Banjo Cannon’s very ordered life gets upset when his dinner sausage, Melvin, jumps off the plate, runs away, and is chased by the fork, knife, plate, table, chair, and a hungry little boy. The rest of Banjo’s food, his par ents, the cat, and a neighbor’s dog join the pursuit, which ends with some mishaps and some narrow escapes for the runaway dinner. The tone of the story is chatty and conversational. The abundance of absurdities in the text (each of the peas, carrots, and French fries also has a name) and the action packed acrylic illustrations, with animated food and other objects, add to the fun. Ahlberg was a recipient of the 1986 Kurt Maschler Award with Janet Ahlberg. Ingman was awarded a UK National Art Library Illustrator’s Award and the Mother Goose Award. ca, hc

Originally published by Walker Books Great Britain, in 2006.

"A wacky, whimsical narrative. . . . More sophisticated in structure than the classic tales and verses that inspired it, this madcap riff is for primary-grade readers -- and their clever parents." -- Kirkus Reviews

What happens if someone's dinner decides that, well, it doesn't want to be eaten? For a hungry little boy named Banjo and a savory sausage named Melvin, it's a plight that can only result in a breathless escape -- and what a chase it is! Off speeds the sturdy sausage -- leading fork, knife, and plate, chair and table, a handful of fries with various French names, and three fat little peas -- out the door, down the street, and around the park, with poor Banjo taking up the rear. Will the famished boy ever catch them? And what (gulp) happens to Melvin if he does? Allan Ahlberg is in his element with this fast and funny tale, while Bruce Ingman's kid-friendly illustrations add visual comedy to the chase.