When Ben goes to the pet store with Daddy, he buys a dog (Aggie), learns how a dog behaves, and finds a canine friend. The illustrations direct readers from one segment of the story to the next, and three chapters provide natural starting and stopping breaks. This valuable scaffolding contributes to a satisfying story.

K-Gr 2-Ben lives every child's dream when Dad takes him on a surprise trip to the pet shop to select the animal of his choice. After contemplating his options and considering the sometimes-humorous consequences of each one ("-a snake might make Mommy scream"), he decides on a dog. Readers will chuckle through the chapter "Just Like Aggie" as Ben mimics the pup's routine of panting, sniffing, and playing chase but draws the line at drinking out of the toilet. Funky but tender, Dormer's pen-and-ink cartoons with watercolor washes add depth to the simple story and provide that perfect illustration-to-text match that one seeks in successful easy readers. If at a loss when seeking another recommendation for graduates of Cari Meister's "Tiny" books (Viking) and lovers of Cynthia Rylant's "Henry and Mudge" books (S & S), try Aggie and Ben. This unassuming tale will prove a welcome addition to any collection for emerging readers.-Jill Heritage Maza, Conn Elementary, Raleigh, NC Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.