WHO'S MORE IMPORTANT than the Queen? Whom does she serve? Her royal corgis, of course! But life isn't just royal thrones and unlimited biscuits for young Titus, Her Majesty's favorite pup. There are burglars to catch, fires to put out, leaking tubs to attend to, and jealous cousins to deal with. In the end, though, it's the Queen's edict that matters most: "Titus Rules!" Dick King-Smith, beloved author of "Babe: The Gallant Pig," offers a delightfully entertaining book to inspire readers with love for young Titus, and also with love for reading. "Kids will enjoy the engaging Titus; the fast-moving, witty prose; and the adventures inspired by loyalty and royalty, whether two legged or four. Comic drawings add to the fun."--"Booklist" "From the Hardcover edition." Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

King-Smith (Chewing the Cud) affectionately pokes fun at Britain's Royal Family in this agreeable romp. One of a herd of Pembrokeshire corgis in constant attendance on Queen Elizabeth II, Titus is just a puppy when the tale opens. He quickly makes "quite a name" for himself, however, first by not piddling on the castle carpet ("What a good boy!" says the Queen) and, later, by nabbing a light-fingered footman, sounding the alarm when a fire breaks out and otherwise displaying his cleverness. Although "Madge," as her Consort calls her (short for Majesty), is quick to protest that she doesn't believe in favoritism, it's soon clear who rules the roost. "I may be a queen among my people but you're a king among my dogs," the Queen eventually confides, and a documentary on vandalism inspires her to pull a prank with a can of spray paint to prove her point. King-Smith's sense of humor is as waggish as ever (a chair is described as "warm from the imprint of the royal bottom"), and adults will appreciate the mild quips made at the Royals' expense, particularly with imagined conversations between "Madge" and a curmudgeonly Prince Philip ("Never trust a chap with small ears," he says of the thieving footman), plus a cameo appearance by Prince Charles in which "Mummy" pulls rank. A nimble blend of animal hijinks and gentle satire (enhanced by Eastwood's pen-and-inks that deftly caricature the cast), this one is jolly good fun. Ages 7-10. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 4-6-A tongue-in-jowl story about squabbling Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, told from the perspective of Her Majesty's favorite young corgi. The situations in which the top dog finds himself range from capturing a footman who is a thief to a bathroom leak caused when Prince Philip, "lulled by the warm water and the whisky," falls asleep in the tub. Eastwood's pen-and-ink caricatures add to the amusement factor. However, American readers may not have the interest in or the background for enjoying and understanding this irreverent portrayal of the Royal Family. Limited appeal stateside.-Janie Schomberg, Leal Elementary School, Urbana, ILCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr. 2-5. As Corgi puppy Titus learns, being a royal dog has its advantages: the queen may rule the country, but she serves her Corgis devotedly. In return, equally devoted Titus does his best to help out--stopping a jewel thief, calling attention to an overflowing bathtub, even sniffing out a fire, which earns him the title, King among Dogs. Dog lovers will enjoy this light, humorous novel, which paints an irreverent, if generally good-natured, portrayal of British royals and palace life, bolstered by alternately baffled, amused, and inspired interactions between and among humans and canines. And, despite her proper manners, the queen is not above a little hooliganism herself: she honors her pet Titus with a little graffiti. Kids will enjoy the engaging Titus; the fast-moving, witty prose; and the adventures inspired by loyalty and royalty, whether two legged or four. Comic drawings add to the fun. ShelleRosenfeld. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.