The Stray Dog

The Stray Dog
by Marc Simont

The Stray Dog
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Book Summary Information

Author: Marc Simont
Illustrator: Marc Simont
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-05-27
ISBN: 0064436691
Number of pages: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins

Book Reviews of The Stray Dog

Book Review: A heartwarming tale with a special message!
Summary: 5 Stars

The Stray Dog is a truly special children's book in that it not only entertains with a simple tale of a lonely, stray dog looking for companionship but also sends a positive message about pet adoption.

The little stray dog wanders into a park one day and finds a family of four having a picnic, and is saddened when they leave. The family itself keeps thinking of little "Willy" and return the next week, only to find Willy being chased by a dog warden. What fate awaits little Willy? Kids will love this heartwarming tale of a lonely little dog craving human companionship.

Summary of The Stray Dog

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.


"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

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