With cartoon capers and friendly dogs, welcome to PUPPY ACADEMY: SCOUT AND THE SAUSAGE THIEF, first in a series about pups training to be working dogs. Some of the dogs want to be search and rescue dogs, or to guide blind people. Young Scout is keen to be a police dog like her German Shepherd parents. Her big ambition is to catch the notorious sausage thief Frank Furter in the act.

Scout is a determined character who is caring enough to help a child although it makes her late for class. She is also too well-trained to talk back when she is unfairly scolded. This combination means that on the day of her big tests, she doesn't do as well as she'd hoped. In fact, everyone is upset with her. What can she do to resolve the issues? And will she ever live out that dream of nabbing the villain Frank Furter?

The expressive pictures and interesting facts about police dogs will keep young readers interested, while the tale may help them learn some lessons. The broad spread of working dogs means that the Puppy Academy series has plenty of scope. Gill Lewis has been a veterinarian and lives in England. Her first dog was a German Shepherd, just like Scout. PUPPY ACADEMY: SCOUT AND THE SAUSAGE THIEF is a lovely book for kids and will make many friends.