The Poet's Dog

Description of book

From the Newbery Medal-winning author, a poignant story about two children, a poet and a dog, and how they help one another survive loss and recapture love

Teddy is a gifted dog. Raised in a cabin by a poet named Sylvan, he grew up listening to sonnets read aloud and the comforting clicking of a keyboard. Although Teddy understands words, Sylvan always told him there are only two kinds of people in the world who can hear Teddy speak: poets and children.

Then one day Teddy learns that Sylvan was right. When Teddy finds Nickel and Flora trapped in a snowstorm, he tells them that he will bring them home - and they understand him. The children are afraid of the howling wind, but not of Teddy's words. They follow him to a cabin in the woods, where the dog used to live with Sylvan... only now his owner is gone.

As they hole up in the cabin for shelter, Teddy is flooded with memories of Sylvan. What will Teddy do when his new friends go home? Can they help one another find what they have lost?

Patricia MacLachlan is the celebrated author of many timeless books for young readers, including
Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal. She is also the author of countless picture books, a number of which she cowrote with her daughter, Emily. She lives in Williamsburg, Massachusetts.