Available Formats
Jay Runs Away
By (Author) Dawn McNiff
Illustrated by Nicola Slater
Templar Books
Templar Publishing
12th August 2025
17th July 2025
United Kingdom
Children
Fiction
Childrens / Teenage personal and social topics: Families and family members
Childrens / Teenage fiction: Action and adventure stories
Childrens / Teenage general interest: Adventurers and outlaws
Paperback
36
Width 250mm, Height 250mm
A pirate-packed picture book about the arrival of a new sibling - with real lift-the-flap letters! Author, Dawn Mcniff, perfectly voices Jay and his antics paired with swash-buckling mischief and humour from The Leaf Thief illustrator, Nicola Slater.
There's a new baby at home, and Jay isn't sure about her AT ALL. There's only one option - for Jay to run away with the pirates! Sounds fun and full of adventure, right Well, Jay's letters home soon reveal life on the ship isn't all pirate parties, sea shanties and pieces of eight. . . In fact, perhaps a little sister isn't so bad And maybe Jay would rather come home after all
This funny, pirate-tastic story is told entirely through letters between Jay and his family - with six fold-out letters to open and look inside. Along with Nicola Slater's artwork bringing lashings of character to every scene, this picture book is one to treasure! Perfect for fans of Emma Yarlett's Dragon Post, The Jolly Postman and Meerkat Mail.
Dawn McNiff (Author)
Dawn was born in a blue house by the sea in Sussex. She now lives in a brown house in Gloucestershire with her two teenage daughters and lots of furry pets. In 2008 she did an MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University, which was 100% fab. In the past, she has worked as a bereavement counsellor, a copywriter, a teaching assistant and a children's bookseller - but her best job has always been being a mummy. Dawn likes dancing to bad 80s songs, going for rainy walks, eating green soup, snoozing by her log-burner, and writing in cafes. (PS: Never challenge Dawn to a water fight cos you'll lose). Follow Dawn on Twitter: @DawnMcNiff
Nicola Slater (Illustrator)
Nicola Slater is an award-winning Illustrator who has produced many picture books, including the New York Times bestselling The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming, Don't Say Elephant by Stuart Heritage, There's a Skunk in my Bunk by Christopher Cerf, and many more - all of which have been translated into numerous languages throughout the world. She lives in Cheshire in the rain. In her spare time she likes looking at animals and bothering her children.