Aggie and Ben: Three Stories

by Lori Ries

Book Overview

Spanish Language edition: A funny and sweet early reader about a new friendship between a boy and his dog. In this first book of the series, Dad surprises Ben with a trip to the pet store. Ben isn't... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Library Binding
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1570915946
• ISBN13: 9781570915949
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.8" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

First chapter book for puppy-loving new readers

Nothing else is quite like the excitement and joy with which a new reader first moves from short, simple read-it-myself texts to books that actually have chapters. Aggie and Ben is a book that's perfect for young readers about to take that special step. The three stories of the subtitle are actually three stand-alone chapters taking place on a single, satisfying day. Author Lori Ries selects familiar children's themes, then gives each one a clever twist that makes it fresh and surprising. In the first story, the tried and true (often trite) I-want-a-pet motif is inverted, as going to the pet store is Dad's idea. Once there, luckily, adults retire to the background and focus shifts to Ben for the rest of the book. Ben ponders a number of potential pets, rejecting each for a humorous yet logical reason before picking a puppy who makes him laugh. The second chapter/story introduces the puppy, Aggie, to her new home. Ben follows her around the house, experiencing everything from a puppy's point of view. Kids and adults alike will howl with laughter midway through at the reason Ben declares, "I am done being a dog." Ries obviously knows kids and dogs, too. The tale is absolutely kid-size, right down to the scary sounds in the night that challenge Ben and Aggie in the third story/chapter. Illustrator' Frank Dormer's bright ink and watercolor illustrations add zest to the tale. At first brush, the cartoony style seems angular, almost abstract, but by page 6, when the reader reaches the pet store with Ben and his dad, the pictures are so actively and perfectly suited to the text, it's hard to imagine them in any other form. Dormer, an editorial illustrator, makes a delightful children's book debut here. Even confirmed cat-lovers will find it hard to resist this appealing puppy and her boy.

Full of Clever Twists & Boy Appeal

Aggie and Ben is a truly unique book with a universal theme. Three things make this book stand out from other titles about boys and their dogs: 1. The writing. Lori Ries captures the personality of Ben with simple, honest language, and keeps the story moving with clever plot twists. (The scene where Aggie drinks from the toilet is classic!) 2. The format. This book is divided into three short stories, providing natural stopping points when you don't feel like reading everything at once. The format works well for beginning readers, who may be more comfortable taking on a single chapter. It also works well as a read-aloud. 3. Quirky illustrations. Aggie is just so adorable, kids can't resist her. Review by Sherry North, Author, Because You Are My Baby

Good Girl

A boy and his dog. Children's literature is just chock full of such pairings. Of course, when you start hitting the upper end of the age spectrum, such books inevitably lead to a dead dog somewhere along the line. So if you are squeamish, like me, you'll find far more comfort in picture books instead. The "Henry and Mudge" set are always going to be clamoring for more doggy lit. As such "Aggie and Ben: Three Stories" fills a very real need. With simple words perfect for burgeoning readers and pictures that examine every angle and view, there is nothing complicated about this book. It just goes to prove that sometimes the most unencumbered stories are the most satisfying. Broken into three small tales, the first story in this book is "The Surprise". One day Daddy informs Ben that they're going somewhere to get an unexpected delight. The next moment the two are in a pet store to look for someone perfect. Ben is very good at weighing the pros and cons of each potential animal. In the end, he decides that a dog would be best, and the best dog of the lot is the one that makes him laugh. In story number two, "Just Like Aggie", Ben pretends to be a dog himself as he and Aggie explore the home. Aggie has some pretty funny ideas about what to drink, where to sleep, what to chew, and where she belongs. Fortunately she has Ben nearby to straighten her out. Finally, in the "The Scary Thing" Aggie is afraid of various noises and shadows that appear in Ben's room. In the end, however, Ben (who starts getting a little freaked out by his perpetually on notice pup) is able to convince Aggie that the bedroom is safe. "There is nothing scary. Just me and Aggie." Author Lori Ries (a dog owner herself) has given the world a very rare item. Picture books with simple words for early readers may sound like they're a dime a dozen, but try locating one for kicks. Go on. You can find plenty of small books like "Frog and Toad" or "Alien and Possum" but try locating a picture book that uses the same simple vocabulary. In 2005 the best book to do this was the truly wonderful, "A Splendid Friend, Indeed", by Suzanne Bloom. This year, the honor falls to "Aggie and Ben". Which is to say that Ms. Ries has that very rare ability to write simply and wittily. At one point in the book, for example, Ben gets Aggie home for the first time and sets about imitating her every move. Then we come to the following: "Aggie goes into the bathroom. I go into the bathroom, too. Aggie sees the toilet." Beat. "I am done being a dog." You don't come across too many droll picture books these days. Credit "Aggie and Ben" then with an understated sense of humor and the ability to hand the viewer some sweet and honest moments. Sometimes an author will trump their illustrator with their superior wordplay. Other times an artist will put a writer's works to shame with their command of a scintillating palette. In "Aggie and Ben", however, I was relieved to find an eq