The Stray Dog: From a True Story by Reiko Sassa (Hardcover)

~ (Author, Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"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.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (January 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060289333
• ISBN-13: 978-0060289331
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #78,235 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love at First Sight, February 15, 2001

By	Roz Levine (Virginia) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

One Saturday a very nice family of four go to the park for a picnic and find a straggly stray pup. They name him Willy and spend the day playing with him. When it's time to pack up and go, the children want to take Willy home with them, but their parents tell them no, Willy probably belongs to someone else and they sadly leave him behind. The next week is excruciatingly long and whole family spends it thinking about Willy. When Saturday comes, they go back to the park on the pretense of another picnic, but are really hoping to find Willy. Just when they think they'll never see him again, he appears, in the dog catcher's net. Happily, the family claims him...Willy's found a new home and they've found a new pet..... Award winner, Marc Simont has written a lovely, gentle, true to life story that will capture your family's heart. His simple and straighforward text is only outdone by his very detailed and expressive artwork. While looking at these illustrations, youngsters will actually feel the joy of finding this little furry friend, sense the sadness of leaving him behind and worry, right along with the family, about his welfare. This is a terrific picture book, perfect for kids aged 3-7, your entire family can share and a wonderful addition to all home libraries.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We just love this book!, January 25, 2002

By A Customer

I have a young daughter, and this is our most favorite book! It is a sweet, brief, gentle story that reminds me of the picture books I read as a child, and I am so thrilled to see that it just won a Caldecott Honor! The artwork is some of the most beautiful art I have ever seen in a children's book, and the story of two children who adopt a frightened little dog is just what I want to be sharing with my child in these troubled times. I can't recommend this book highly enough!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pet Love, February 4, 2001

By	"bly1226" (Harrisonburg, VA USA) - See all my reviews

There is nothing more rewarding than to find a family pet, in particular a stray who is in dire need of a home. Thus, Marc Simont has retold an actual account of a family which has done just that, found a scruffy little mutt. In the simplicity of his retelling and illustrations, Mr. Simont has captured the essence of the love for a pet within a family structure. Beware of this heartwarming tale; you may end up at the pound filling out adoption papers! Marc Simont has been involved with children's literature for over sixty years. His accolades include two Caldecott Medals (one an Honor) and the 1997 Illustrator of the Year by the Professional Association of Illustrators.