A Dog for Ben

Once again this team seems to have produced a book which is thought-provoking and challenges young children to re-examine their initial reactions. That they manage to do this without coming across as pompous or moralising is a real tribute for they don't pull any punches or hesitate over setting the children up. Ben desperately wants a dog but finds it hard to come to terms with the reality of actually getting a Pekinese instead of the dog of his dreams - a big one 'who could run like the wind'. Ben's resentment and his unpleasant treatment of the poor animal as well as the most unattractive aspects of the dog are portrayed convincingly but so too is the gradual awakening of respect and love in their relationship. All the children reviewing the book for me thought it was good and a surprising number spent a considerable time arguing about the ethics of it - a good sign!