Jon Katz understands dogs as few others do, intuitively and unburdened by sentimentality. His keen insights cut to the heart of the human-pet relationship - its immense joys and painful sorrows. With wisdom and grace, he unlocks the canine soul and the complicated wonders that lie within and offers powerful inights to anyone who has ever struggled with, and loved, a troubled animal

What distinguishes Katz's witty canine account from most others is his absention from sentimentality ... The adventures described in A Dog Year are the stuff of great fiction ... Part cautionary tale, part love story, A Dog Year reminds us that adopting a pet is a massive responsibility but one that rewards the owner with a rich, more meaningful life

Moving, funny ... a loveable mutt of a book

Katie captured the judges' imagination with her dreamy illustrations

There's something genially old-fashioned about it all. Otto endures hardship and adventure (including the brush-off he receives from a pair of alley cats) as he flees his old existence and finds new sources of companionship. In this case, the animal adrift ends up with fellow story characters as well as with human readers, who, as they will in real life too, want to keep Otto around

Katie's illustrations are full of space, gentle colour and apparent simplicity. She also has a real way with drawing animals - Otto is a very handsome bear, a bear that you'll want to hug and make space for on your bookshelves