The Stray Dog: From a True Story by Reiko Sassa
"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 BookThe  Happy Day, by Ruth Krauss and Janice May Udry'sA 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