Product Details

• Published on: 2003-05-26
• Original language: Spanish
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

From Amazon.com
"It was a great day for a picnic," begins Marc Simont's lovely, touching, happy-ending picture book, The Stray Dog. And indeed, judging from the opening spread's clear skies, sparkling water, zooming boats, and adventure-bound cars it looks to be so. The story begins as a scruffy little dog makes an appearance at a family's picnic. The children name him Willy, and by the end of the day they desperately want to take him home. The family drives away, but all week they can think of nothing but their new furry friend. They return to picnic at the same spot the very next week, much to Willy's good fortune--and that of the newly smitten family.

As in all the best illustrated children's books, Simont lets his pictures tell the story. We don't have to be told how wrenching it is for the kids to leave Willy behind--we see their small outstretched arms out the car window and the puppy watching them go. Simont doesn't have to tell us that the next Saturday the family is completely preoccupied with the possibility of another Willy sighting. We see the family, silent, munching, and just to the side is a plate of meat they've put out, just in case. Young readers will adore this simple tale of puppy love, but adults will be equally charmed. Simont illustrated his first book in 1939, and since then has illustrated nearly 100 titles, including the 1949 Caldecott Honor Book The Happy Day, by Ruth Krauss and Janice May Udry's A Tree Is Nice, winner of the 1957 Caldecott Medal. This book is our favorite so far of the year! (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson

From Publishers Weekly
In this slender but engaging volume, Caldecott Medalist Simont (A Tree Is Nice) retells and illustrates a true story told to him by a friend. Picnicking in the country, a family spies a friendly dog. The brother and sister play with him and even name him, but their parents will not let them take Willy back to their city home. "He must belong to somebody," their mother explains, "and they would miss him." Returning to the same spot the following weekend, they once again see Willy, this time being chased by a dog warden who deems him a stray: "He has no collar. He has no leash." In the tale's most endearing scene, the boy removes his belt and the girl her hair ribbon, which they identify to the warden as Willy's collar and leash: "His name is Willy, and he belongs to us." Simont's art and narrative play off each other strategically, together imparting the tale's humor and tenderness. The final scenes are simple gems of understatement and wit. "They took Willy home" accompanies a full-bleed picture of the children energetically and messily bathing the dog; "And after that... they introduced him to the neighborhood, where he met some very interesting dogs" captions a busy scene of a park full of pooches. A charmer. Ages 4-8. (Jan.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-A great tale for any kid who's dreamed of adopting a pet. Widely known and admired for his light and breezy illustrations, Simont continues his magic here with the story of an urban family on a weekend picnic in the country who chance upon a scruffy little stray dog that they call Willy. Returning to the city without him but with a whole lot of pet-longing, they while away the week with Willy on their minds. During their next outing, they spy the pup in the clutches of a dogcatcher and immediately resolve to give him a home by claiming him with a belt for a collar and a hair ribbon for a leash. Replete with lively city and country outdoor scenes and a glorious doggy bubble bath, all rendered in gauzy pastel watercolors, The Stray Dog is a showcase for Simont's considerable artistic talent. This good-humored addition is an amusing and predictable read with a happily-ever-after ending.-Mary Ann Carcich, Mattituck-Laurel Public Library, Mattituck, NY

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

The Stray Dog
My children(ages 6,4,2) and I love this book. It has a lovely little story with a very nice message. Any parent or child who loves animals, especially dogs, will love this story. The illustrations are lovely too. Highly recommended for children aged 2-8.

Heartwarming and beautifully illustrated
There are certain books that I hope my 3-year-old will pick out for me to read to her. You know the type; you move them to her eye level and hope that the power of suggestion works. This is one of those books.

The illustrations are so beautiful, I wish I could find the original galleys for the book and frame them. The story is everything that's good in the world: compassionate children, understanding parents and (of course) happy dogs.

There was an earlier reviewer who was appalled the story didn't have the parents bring the dog to the SPCA to go through the proper channels for adoption. A nice thought, but I used to volunteer at an animal shelter and I have news for you: If people didn't rescue strays, shelters would be more overcrowded than they are now. The way of the world is 100 abandoned animals come into a shelter for every 1 that is reunited with an owner. With that in mind, "The Stray Dog" is even more touching.

A winner
This lovely book, a true story, spans several age groups--2 year olds can respond to pictures of the puppy, the family, the picnic, while older kids can relate to missing the dog during the week and the children's successful effort to claim him as their own. The author uses simple enough language for beginning readers without being simplistic, accompanied by excellent color illustrations. The Caldecott prize is well-deserved.