McDuff Saves the Day - Hardcover

Wells, Rosemary

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0786806443 ISBN 13: 9780786806447

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion, 2002

Synopsis

When an army of insects destroys Fred and Lucy's hopes for a lovely lunch, McDuff heads out to find a good replacement lunch for his family and soon comes upon Mr. DiMaggio, a kind man who is only too happy to share his picnic lunch with his new friends. 50,000 first printing.

About this title

Review:

On a Fourth of July picnic with his human family, McDuff, a beloved but trouble-mongering white terrier, inadvertently allows "silent invaders" (namely, ants) to make off with the entire contents of the lunch basket. Luckily, McDuff has a way with strangers (and their picnic baskets), and in no time flat, he's finagled an invitation from a lonely older man to share his meal with the family.

Rosemary Wells and Susan Jeffers's series about the earnest pooch and his expanding community of friends and family harkens back to quainter days, when baby carriers were buckled into cars with leather straps and kind gentlemen didn't mind sharing their fried chicken and devil's food cake with strangers. Jeffers's inviting paintings of 1930s cars and fashions, and of course the little white dog himself, are warm and appealing. Readers who loved McDuff Goes to School and McDuff's New Friend will enjoy this summery entry in the series. (Ages 3 to 5) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-Grade 2-The sweet, furry pup is back again in a slightly longer tale. Fred, Lucy, their baby, and McDuff are going on a Fourth of July outing and the car is full-to-overflowing with baby gear and picnic paraphernalia. After stopping twice, once to walk and water the dog and again to feed the child, they finally reach Lake Ocarina. McDuff is put in charge of guarding the picnic basket while Lucy and Fred unload the car. When ants carry off their provisions, the West Highland terrier goes in search of food and discovers Mr. DiMaggio's meatballs. The older gentleman shares his picnic with the young family so no one is hungry and no one is lonely. When Mr. DiMaggio plays "The Star-Spangled Banner" on his concertina, the baby's wails and McDuff's howls signal the end of the celebration. Jeffers's humorous illustrations-sometimes four to a page-reveal the day in detail and depict the summer holiday with an old-fashioned flavor. The dog's various expressions are perfectly represented, showing his contentment, surprise, determination, hunger, dismay, and satisfaction. The text will strike a chord with parents who understand all the work that traveling with a young child entails, and youngsters will be pleased to see that this lovable canine has returned.
Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0786806443
• ISBN 13: 9780786806447
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Jeffers Susan