Waiting for Billy

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-- Billy is a bottle-nosed dolphin who has learned to trust a friendly horse trainer. The old gentleman regularly tows racehorses behind his small boat to strengthen their legs; they seem to enjoy the swim and Billy's company. Some marvelous action photography shows the dolphin with the horses and the old man's dog, as the playmates revel in one another's watery antics. Then the idyll is spoiled by a fleet of large ships that enters the backwater port that was Billy's home. When they leave, Billy follows them out to open sea, and never returns. This charming story is related in the voice of the man's grandson, capturing his enthusiasm and matter-of-fact acceptance of the natural phenomena. Readers may, however, be confused by the fact that in the early pages, Billy is very much a part of the present, expected to appear at any moment; but at story's end, without transition, he suddenly becomes a warmly remembered past visitor. Beautiful, vivid full-color photography lends immediacy to this engaging example of human/animal affection and trust. --Joan McGrath, Education Centre Library, Toronto, Ontario, Canada