Tunnel (2008) suggests there are elements to recognising a well written children’s book. The Runaway Hug by Nick Bland and Freya Blackwood, incorporates these elements. The words blend and string together, with an almost melodic ring, to make strength in the story. The story is fast moving and keeps the reader engaged. The words stir an emotional bond with young readers as they relate to Lucy and her genuine, honest and warm family going about everyday tasks.
The book uses precise nouns and colourful verbs; using ‘dashed’ instead of ‘ran’ and ‘skipped’ instead of ‘walk’, gives the feeling of quick energetic movements. Authors use figurative language to bring specificity, clarity and meaning to text (Tunnell, 2008). In Runaway Hug,
