Stormy

Book excerpt: From the creator of the New York Times best-illustrated children's book award winner The Only Child, comes a gorgeous and moving wordless picture book that's perfect for dog lovers. In this heartwarming, wordless picture book that's perfect for dog lovers, a woman visits a park and discovers a pup hiding under a bench--scruffy, scared, and alone. With gentle coaxing, the woman tries to befriend the animal, but the dog is too scared to let her near. Day after day, the woman tries--and day after day, the dog runs away. With perseverance and patience--and help from an enticing tennis ball--a tentative friendship begins. But it's not until a raging storm forces the two together that a joyous and satisfying friendship takes hold. Guojing poignantly explores how trust doesn't always come easily, but how, over time, and with kindness and determination, forever love can grow. Praise for Stormy: "Guojing amplifies the suspense and sentiment of her story with the skill -- and mercilessness -- of a great Disney or Pixar director.... Masterful." --New York Times Book Review "A touching tale about the strong emotional connection between dog and human." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Guojing paces the story to rock emotionally between the dog's lonely existence and the woman's offer of love, building all the way to a joyful conclusion." --Publishers Weekly, starred review " Adults should be prepared for some serious pet pleading after kids get a look at our scruffy hero and its happy ending."--Bulletin, starred review "Brimming with golden-hued love, this is a book that successfully appeals to our most basic human sentiment, perfect for anyone who appreciates Guojing's accomplished visual style as well as dog lovers of all ages." --Booklist, starred review "This beautifully illustrated book will appeal to a wide range of ages, can spark conversations around houselessness and insecurity, or just be enjoyed as a tale of a dog finding a "­forever home." --School Library Journal