Benjy and His Friend Fifi

Benjy's newest adventure (he's been involved in three others: Benjy and the Barking Bird , Benjy's Dog House and Benjy's Boat Trip ) is another winner. Benjy is an outgoing, friendly brown dog (``with long ears and a short tail'') who lives next door to Fifi, a retiring poodle who has trouble joining in escapades with the other neighborhood dogs. Her owner, Mrs. Jones, enters Fifi in a dog show and brings Benjy along for moral support. Fifi panics when Mrs. Jones goes off for a minute, slips off the table (dangling from her leash, which Benjy chews through) and races throughout the grounds in a frenzy of fear. Two neighborhood dogs, also on display at the show, help Benjy find Fifi; she loses her fear of other dogs and goes on to enjoy the friendship of her peers. The action of this tale is expertly pacedFifi's reticence is beautifully drawn, which makes her newfound confidence a victory that all readers will rejoice in. Ages 4-8. (September)