ARGO, YOU LUCKY DOG

What if a dog won the lottery? Argo's people have left him with food for five days when he reads in the paper that a ``lotto'' ticket is missing, turns in one he's found, and gets 17 sacks of money. First, he buries it in 17 holes; then, realizing that the effect may not please Bob and Glynis, he hires a landscaper. One thing leads to another; by the time the couple returns, their garden is decked with flowers, statues of dogs, and topiary in dog shapes with a bone-shaped pool and a fire hydrant in the place of honor; the house is painted blue and trimmed with gingerbread-colored dogs; and, inside, the new upholstery features Dalmatian dots. Fortunately, the doting Bob and Glynis are delighted. The clever premise is developed with bubbling good humor, especially in the many ingenious details to be discovered in the author's watercolor illustrations. (Picture book. 4-9)