Both a beautifully illustrated four-color children's story and a grown-up fantasy, Polly and the Piano is based upon the true-life loving relationship between the pianist-author and her dog. The book is filled with Montparker's affectionate and spontaneous watercolor sketches of her dog who lived underneath the piano, greeted piano students, learned to love classical repertoire, and kept her pianist-partner from being lonely during long hours of preparation for a recital at Carnegie Hall. Written in the dog's voice, the story draws the reader into the pianist's life - the dedicated work and stress, along with the relief of more playful moments when Polly persuades her mistress to take some time off. The mutual appreciation, tender love, good humor, and wonderful surprise ending will captivate the reader's heart. This book will be treasured by pianists, piano teachers, students, children, pet lovers, and by everyone else as well HARDCOVER.