As the youngest of the Boxcar Children, Benny is always ready with a funny comment, a question about the next meal, or a solution to a mystery. Let Benny and the Alden family's faithful dog, Watch, introduce younger readers to this magical series. In this first book of the series, readers learn Gertrude Chandler Warner's original story of the four orphaned children and their search for a new home.

Benny Alden has only one dollar to spend on Grandfather's birthday present. But everything he finds either costs too much or is not much fun. Then Benny, his friend Michael, and his dog, Watch, hear Grandfather talking to the baker.

When Benny hears that someone his age has moved in down the road, he's thrilled! Benny hops on his bike and rides over, excited to meet the boy. Then Benny reads the name on the boy's shirt. BETH. The new kid is not a boy. She's a girl!

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. After seeing a magician perform, Benny enlists his dog Watch to help him put on his own magic show. But then both Watch and Benny's magic bag disappears.

One morning Benny decides that he wants to be in business, just like Grandfather Alden. Benny loves to eat, so he thinks that he'll like selling food. He gets right to work—baking peanut butter cookies. But Watch eats all of the batter!

One day Benny whistles for Watch, but he doesn't come. Later, when Watch returns home, Benny discovers a hole under the fence. Watch has been using it to get out of the Aldens' yard. Where is Watch going? Does Benny's best friend have a secret?

Benny loves to dig and so does Watch. One day, Grandfather gives Bennie a map that shows a good place to dig. Watch takes a nap but Bennie digs all day. At last his shovel hits something hard, something very surprising!

Benny likes Saturdays because he doesn't have to go to school. But one Saturday everything seems to go wrong. Benny can't buy the poster he wants, and then he runs into his teacher outside the supermarket.

Benny is excited when his friend Tyler and his little brother Sam come to play. Tyler warns Benny that two-year-old Sam can be a handful, but Benny doesn't think he looks too bad. But then Sam ruins their puzzle and disappears.

Benny has never been in a parade. Now there's a pet parade this Saturday! There are several prizes, including one for for the best pet costume. After much thought, and a little help from Watch, Benny decides to make Watch a detective costume.