BARKLEY

Barkley, a circus dog, is so jaunty in his prime that you have to sympathize when he is retired for old age. Too, his replacement as pictured has nothing like Barkley's personality. His attempts to ingratiate himself--first in other circus acts, then to outsiders who might take him as a pet--should work on early readers even if they don't get him adopted, and when at last the circus asks him back as a teacher of puppy trainees, they'll be gratified that he's found his niche.