Running away is a lot more fun when you let your family come too. For Sara and her little sister Annie, a quiet Saturday ends with a bout of sibling bickering. When Daddy intervenes with some firm words, Sara crossly announces she’s running away … and Annie can come too. Soon the girls are in the back yard, where they get Daddy to pitch a tent of bed sheets. They also let him bring flashlights when it gets dark, make a yummy supper of cheese sandwiches (with the crusts cut off), and read them bedtime stories. With cross words forgotten, and with all the comforts of home, what could make running away better? Mommy, of course, who soon turns up with pillows and blankets for all.

Duration for read-aloud playback: 3 minutes.