Amazon.com Amazon.com's Best of 2001 (ISBN 0060289333, Hardcover)

"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

Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0439442540, Paperback)

A Caldecott Honor Book, based on a true story by Reiko Sassa and retold by Marc Simont, tells of a family who finds a stray dog. Beautiful watercolors.

Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0439385911, Paperback)

This story is retold and illustrated by Marc Simont based on a true story by Reiko Sassa. It is a Caldecott Honor book for its illustrations. The story centers around a family who see a stray dog while on their picnic. They think about him all week and go back the following week. But Willy is being chased by the dog warden.

Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0064436691, Paperback)

When a little dog appears at a family picnic, the girl and boy play with him all afternoon, and they name him Willy. At day's end they say good-bye. But the dog has won their hearts and stays on their minds.

The following Saturday the family returns to the picnic grounds to look for Willy, but they are not alone -- the dogcatcher is looking for him, too...

Caldecott Medalist Marc Simont's heartwarming tale of a stray dog who finds a home is told with appealing simplicity and grace.

Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0060522747, Paperback)

Un perrito aparece de repente durante una excursión familiar y unos niños juegan con él toda la tarde. Le ponen de nombre "Willy". Al final del día se despiden de él, pero piensan en Willy durante toda la semana. La familia regresa al lugar de la merienda a buscarlo. Sin embargo, no son los únicos, el perrero también busca a Willy!