As Michael Lambert reads to him, Oreo, sits statue-still and listens.

Against the opposite wall, another lucky kid is reading to A-Rod, who also seems to understand everything that is being said.

Lexi is being read to on the stage. Rosie, too, is a receptive audience, a little to her left.

Welcome to "Wag Your Tale," at  The Scarsdale Library. Oh, and by the way, those strange names? They all belong to dogs. Oreo is a Havanese, Rosie is a Tibetan Terrier, A-Rod, a boxer, Lexi a Maltese.

"I started the program a couple of years ago," says Children's Librarian, Eileen Corbett.

"It's  a once-a-month program, designed to help grade-school children who have reading problems. That's anything from trouble with comprehension to dyslexia. I found that kids really enjoy reading to a dog; it calms them down and makes the process fun. All our canines are certified by The Good Dog Foundation and they are the same sorts of dogs who visit nursing homes and hospitals. Each child gets about ten minutes with a dog, then it's someone else's turn."

Before Michael Lambert's turn, he and his mother explain how "Wag Your Tale" has helped him with his reading difficulties.

"I have dyslexia," says Lambert, a Scarsdale resident who is in the 5th grade."I like reading to dogs, because they don't rush you. I think I do better, reading out loud, when the atmosphere is calm like this. I like all the dogs but Oreo is probably my favorite."

Soon enough, Lambert gets called over by Ms. Corbett and is reading the Y.A. book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid. There is no way to tell if the Havanese is really paying attention. However, she stretches her back legs out behind her and is certainly relaxed. Lambert, in turn, relaxes as he reads aloud. He doesn't stumble over a single word during his allotted time with this receptive canine.

Lambert's mother, Ava, mentions after the reading that her son has improved, in every sense, since he began reading to his dog friends a year ago.

"I think the dyslexia had an effect on Michael's overall confidence," says Ms. Lambert. "When he heard about 'Wag Your Tale,' he was intrigued. But he said, 'What if the dogs don't like me?' Well, needless to say, they did. And his reading and comprehension have really improved so much. We have Eileen to thank for that."

Heather White, who is the Westchester County Executive Training Coordinator for The Good Dog Foundation, says that the dogs, who must pass a series of evaluations to be here, are true heroes in our area. And not only to the kids who read to them.

"Once a dog seems like a good candidate for our group, meaning a calm temperament, no biting, or excessive barking, we train them to be therapy dogs. So, they visit the elderly, the infirm, seniors' residences and all sorts of other places where people need companionship. The fact that they help kids with reading, too, is a bonus."

Rachel Gee, 12, is one of the program's real success stories. She went through the program as a reader and now helps younger kids improve their technique.

"I had to do an eight-week training course with my dog Oreo, in order to help assist other kids with their reading. It was kind of hard to give up my free time, but I love helping everyone, the way I was helped. I think I want to continue teaching when I grow up, as a result of my time, here at the library."

As Rachel and Oreo encourage Meredith Hurshman and then her sister, Elizabeth (who's reading a kid's version of Marley And Me), you can see why this monthly series is such a success. There are no taunting classmates around, no stern teachers, no pressure. Just a dog, watching and rooting the kids on, as they finish yet another book. And they learn not only about the magic of reading, but of having confidence, too. Who wouldn't love that?

For More Information on Wag Your Tale, call The Scarsdale Library at 722-1300 and ask for Eileen Corbett, or visit them on the web (links below.)