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?