The Run is clever, but there was something missing. At first, I thought this picture book by Barroux was too short. Maybe it was the child-like illustrations. Or even that the God-like narrator was a bit demanding in their questioning the animals that are running.
I realized what was missing was a real plot. I wanted maybe one of the animals to say, “Oh hey follow us and we will let you know.” Or maybe have them talking amongst themselves such as, “Hey Ralph, do you hear a voice from the sky?” However, there is a twist at the end that was somewhat amusing to me, but to the young listener, they will pee themselves laughing. Or hopefully not. (Read and find out why as telling you is a big spoiler.)
I did like how each animal you see is drawn in their habitat. You see polar bears in tundra conditions and a fox in a forest one. Almost every page (if not all) has a tease on one page that turns into another animal on the next page (that elephant has one really LOOOOOOOOOOOONG tail!)
What it all boils down too is a book for the preschooler to slightly young to have fun with an event they are probably recently aware of/have partaken in. They will most likely like the illustrations in their simplistic form and the Charlie Brownish looking main character. I liked the last page as it ties in the fact there has been running involved from page one.
