Part of the Sit! Stay! Read! picture-books series put out by The Gryphon Press, a small publisher whose aim is to promote humane education for children, this informative and engaging title asks young readers whether they are ready to get a dog. A series of instructions for caring for our canine companions, whether mature dog or puppy, is aimed at two young children, who are shown doing all the things - feeding and grooming, going on walks and playing together, and bringing their dog to the vet - necessary to keep their pup healthy and happy. The conclusion has them in an animal shelter, where they must make a decision: are they ready for the responsibility of having a dog?

I appreciated both the didactic purpose and the execution of Are You Ready for Me?, which strikes me as a wonderful book to be used in families and at animal shelters, when children express a desire for a dog. Although not a story, the narrative here is appealing, especially when paired with the colorful artwork, which shows the two children taking such excellent care of their companions. Animals are a big responsibility, something younger children might not always realize at first. Claire Buchwald offers a gentle introduction to that reality here, one that encourages young people to think and act responsibly and with compassion. There's even a contract at the end, which parents and other concerned adults can photocopy and use with kids eager to adopt a dog. ( )