FLOSS

After the old man gives Floss, his Border collie, to his son, she's trained to take over the work of the old sheepdog on the son's farm. Floss does her job well but longs to play ball with the farmer's children—a breach of discipline, the son thinks. But after she proves herself in the dog trials, he relents, even joining in the joyous game. Perhaps not all dog trainers will agree with the farmer's indulgence, but the human message—that play has its place—is a good one, giving the story more substance than Lewis's earlier efforts (Emma's Lamb, 1991); her soft pencil illustrations of the upland sheep country of northern England are beautifully observed, while Floss herself is especially appealing. (Picture book. 4-8)