About the Book This heartwarming book, based on a true story, tells the story of a picnicking family charmed by a stray dog. When their picnic ends, they say good-bye to the dog, but cannot forget him. When they return for the dog a week later, they find they dogcatcher is looking for him, too. Full-color illustrations. Book Synopsis This picture book has all the earmarks of a classic. Simont gets it all right. -- The Horn Book (starred review) Caldecott Medalist Marc Simonts heartwarming tale of a stray dog is told with tender simplicity and grace. When a little dog appears at a family picnic, the girl and boy play with him all afternoon, and they name him Willy. At days 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 dog catcher is looking for him, too! Awards for this book include: Caldecott Honor Book * New York Times Best Illustrated Book * ALA Notable Childrens Book * Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book * Amazon.com Editors Pick * School Library Journal Best Book * New York Public Librarys One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing From the Back Cover When a little dog appears at a family picnic, the girl and boy play with him all afternoon, and they name him Willy. At days 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 Simonts heartwarming tale of a stray dog who finds a home is told with appealing simplicity and grace. Review Quotes Really splendid artwork...pure Simont...The sentiments are equally direct and elegant, with generosity and affection?.A winner.--Kirkus ReviewsThis picture book has all the earmarks of a classic...Overarching shape, knowledge of audience, small details--Simont gets it all right. --Starred Review, The Horn BookSimonts art and narrative play off each other strategically, together imparting the tales humor and tenderness...A charmer.--Starred Review, Publishers WeeklyWith the tenderness found in his illustrations for Betsy Byars My Brother, Ant (1996), Simont tells a picture-book story of a happy family and a stray.--BooklistReplete with lively city and country outdoor scenes and a glorious doggy bubble bath, The Stray Dog is a showcase for Simonts considerable artistic talent.--Starred Review, School Library Journal Simonts art possesses its usual deceptive ease and friendly watercolor fluidity. . . . will have pooch-loving kids investigating every park with hope and determination.Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books