The Runaway Pancake

PreS-Gr 3–In this refreshed version of a familiar tale, a crispy, golden pancake is made. Seven hungry children and one grandma beg for a bite of it, but the pancake will have none of it and runs out the door. The delicious pancake is then pursued by the children, adults, a rooster, fox, badger, duck, and hedgehog, all of whom hope to make the pancake into a tasty meal. Alas, none of them are fast enough to catch it! When the pancake is deep in the woods it meets a wise old boar that offers protection and to carry it across a stream. The boar is too clever for our runaway though and, inevitably, enjoys a delicious pancake breakfast. The text follows the traditional pattern of animals attempting to convince the pancake to let them eat it and the pancake refusing, challenging, “Catch me if you can!” What elevates this simple tale is the beautiful watercolor illustrations that are vivid, highly detailed, and give readers a sense of place. Children will almost hear the leaves rustling in the wind and smell ripening apples in the trees as the animals crash through the autumn forest. A recipe for pancakes is included at the end.