Uglypuss

Gregoire's disagreeable debut, the tale of a child who rejects a peculiar-looking dog, strives awkwardly for cuteness. Dubbed Uglypuss, the scorned pet in fact resembles an ordinary bull terrier, and although Gregoire gives him an an extraordinarily long, skinny tail, his putative loathsomeness will mystify dog fanciers. ``There's no way my friends are going to see me with this freaky dog,'' grumbles Marty at the breakfast table, and the remainder of the book chronicles his attempts to avoid the loyal canine. A predictable finale, however, cements the duo's bond: Marty accidentally falls into a pool, crawls to safety on Uglypuss's ropelike tail and changes his ``I hate you, Uglypuss'' to an ``I love you.'' Readers may feel for the unrequitedly faithful dog. The self-pitying Marty, on the other hand, proves thoroughly unendearing. Ages 4-7. (Sept.)