Book excerpt: When Ben and his friend Kelly spontaneously decide to rescue an abused dog, they can't possibly foresee the obstacles that accompany such a decision. Armed with patience and the immense power of his never-wavering love, Ben works toward—and waits for—his most cherished goal. A Dog Of My Own is a tender story of the healing power of love—one that will long live in the hearts of all little souls. This heartwarming story was beautifully illustrated by Katya Krenina, whose stylized, contemporary illustrations have been lavishly praised by reviewers and heralded as "stunning" by the New York Times Book Review. Publishers Weekly has compared her style to that of Chagall, for its intuitive, dreamlike quality.