Gr 3--6--This upbeat series opener centers on Gabby, a Canadian fifth grader and her two besties, who bond over their love of animals. Lamenting that none of them can own a pet, the girls start a neighborhood dog-walking business: PAWS (Pretty Awesome WalkerS). Headstrong Gabby, fashion-minded Mindy, and sporty Priya share an entrepreneurial spirit and a can-do attitude, but each girl has very different priorities, and they soon find themselves in over their heads. Although their conflicts threaten to undermine the success of their dog-walking venture, the trio ultimately avert a crisis and learn that their friendship is more important than business. Themes of cooperation, problem-solving, and empathy are complemented by lively illustrations, expressive character designs, and easy-to-follow page layouts. The tween dialogue is delightfully accurate; the girls use terms like doggo and floof to refer to their canine charges. Gabby, who is brown-skinned, is part of an interracial family; Priya is of Indian descent; and Mindy is Korean Canadian. VERDICT Reminiscent of Ann M. Martin's "The Babysitters Club," this series starter will be a surefire hit with Raina Telgemeier fans and any reader seeking a solid friendship story. Laugh-out-loud funny and full of heart.--Allison Tran

Best friends Gabby, Mindy, and Priya share one common trait: all three girls absolutely adore animals and dream of having their own pets. Thanks to a variety of circumstances, none of them are able to, but they're undeterred. After some brainstorming failures, their neighbor, a tattoo artist with long evening hours, asks them to walk her slobbery dog Pickles after school, and their dog-walking business is born. When their venture quickly takes off, things start to get out of hand and their friendship is put to the test. Assarasakorn and Fairbairn's story is refreshingly inclusive in its depiction of its distinctive characters and their families (single parents, diverse ethnicities, nontraditional careers, and so on), offering a reflection of the world that many readers will find familiar. With expressive faces and body language, the artwork poignantly emphasizes the ups and downs of the girls' experiences. This truly heartwarming story about friendship (and lots and lots of dogs) is a great choice for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale.