I Run Away I Run Away

 Picture Book: I Will Love You Anyway

Author: Mick Inkpen

Illustrator: Chloe Inkpen 

Summary: The dog in this story is bad, sooo bad, but lovable and loved unconditionally.  

The desire to please, to do the right thing, is evident but the follow through? Not so much.

He's adorable in his sweat bands, perhaps worn because he never stops. He's constantly running away

  or chasing 

 or being chased. 

 Running away is a major issue with this little guy. 

Then there are the other problem behaviors... 

 that lead to some disgust and further chasing. 

There is one lesson that Doggie seems to have learned 

the hard way. 

The dog's master overhears his parents' plans to make a change. 

Bargains follow and all are sad. 

 But a loud noise leads to another escape, 

 a long night of missing and longing and waiting, 

 and another reunion. 

The family decides to keep the mischief-maker   

despite his bad behavior, simply because of unconditional love. Good thing, 

 because some things never change. 

Hanna’s Comments: This tale of unconditional love is from a father (words) daughter (illustrations) duo. Makes sense! There are lots of picture books that involve unconditional love, but this one has the added benefit of a plot with some definite connections to the parable of The Prodigal Son (i.e. the running away and the big embrace upon being found). Also, there’s the overall sense that this little pup wants to please its master but just can’t seem to overcome urges to make messes and run away. I can relate!

In Paul’s Letter to the Romans, similar frustrations are confessed. Paul doesn’t explain what behavior he wants to avoid, but it sure is nice to know that, even a man who saw Jesus in a vision, never stops struggling with his own temptations.

Original Publisher & Date: Aladdin, 2015

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet 

Scripture Connections: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32); I don’t do the thing I want and do the very thing I hate… (Romans 7: 15-17,19-20)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this adorable book to a group of children in your faith family who are learning about God’s unconditional love, Jesus’s parable of The Prodigal Son, or Paul’s frustration with his own behavior in his Letter to the Romans (listed above).