Animal tales: Double trouble by Helen Kelly

Random House Australia, 2012. ISBN 978-1-74275-330.
(Age: 7-10) Recommended. Two sweet and apparently well behaved terriers look adoringly from the attractive front cover of this book but the title Double Trouble indicates that this doggy brother and sister are not as well behaved as they look.
Ben and his friend Cassie agree to look after the dogs, Tommy and Tallulah while their elderly owner spends a few days in hospital. Eating a school project, charging at another dog and running off in the park are some of the antics that keep Ben and Cassie occupied with the troublesome twosome.
This is a story about everyday children and the trials and tribulations of caring for pets. Both children demonstrate kindness towards the dogs even in stressful circumstances.
Double Trouble is book number 3 in a series endorsed by the RSPCA, with information about the organisation at the back of the novel. Relating directly to this story, is the RSPCA's service of looking after animals of older people who need to go to hospital.
With only 80+ pages of larger text, this series is aimed at children who are 7 to 10 years old. It's not high action but will be appealing to animal lovers.
Jane Moore