A New York Times Notable Children’s Book
In the classic style of The Giving Tree comes a touching debut picture book about the unfaltering love between a boy and his pet.

One day a boy finds a dog. He takes him home, already dreaming of the adventures they will have and the games they will play.

But when the boy gets hurt, he and his new best friend are separated. Will the boy be able to grow up quickly enough to get his furry companion back, or will life keep getting in the way?

With dreamily spare text and sweeping yet simple illustrations, Hey, Boy is a reminder that true friends always find their way home to each other.

Benjamin Strouse, who grew up in New York City, found his first dog, Ralph, in Anchorage, Alaska. Benjamin has worked as a lawyer, producer, and musical theater composer, and lives in Maplewood, New Jersey, where he takes his current dog, Phil, his wife, and twin boys on as many adventures as possible. For more about Ben visit BenjaminStrouse.com. 

Benjamin Strouse's profile page

Jennifer Phelan is a soulful visual communicator. She finds magic in the understated details surrounding her sense of place. Home informs her creative identity and her vision whether in a suburb, a forest enclave community or the pedestrian and pet friendly Toronto Junction neighborhood, where she now lives with her artist husband Gleb and their two cats. Jennifer is an award-winning illustrator with published works in American Illustration, 3x3, and Creative Quarterly. Hey, Boy is her first children’s book. See more at: J-Phelan.com.

Jennifer Phelan's profile page

"A bittersweet story of love and loss, reconciliation and aging."

April 1, 2017

* "Strouse and Phelan perfectly complement each other in this meditation on the passage of time...The two channel Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree....Luminous."

March 2017

"The messages of patience, love, and loyalty continue to the end....Like a new old friend, it's sure to be a book worth revisiting."

June 18, 2017