McDuff and the Baby [Hardcover]

Rosemary Wells (Author), Susan Jeffers (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up | Series: McDuff Stories

The third book in the series featuring that irresistible Westie, McDuff. Ever since McDuff moved into Fred and Lucy's house, he has been happy every day in every way. But after the baby arrives, Fred and Lucy are too busy to pay attention to McDuff. The baby even wakes them up in the middle of the night! Can McDuff ever come to terms with this intrusion? Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1. In another winning story about the perky West Highland white terrier, McDuff, and his owners, Lucy and Fred, a new baby joins the family. Since the infant interferes with the dog's favorite activities of listening to the comics read aloud, taking woodsy walks, and enjoying a nightly musical program on the radio (not to mention no longer being the center of attention), he rebels by glowering at the plump child and then by refusing his food. His understanding owners immediately resume McDuff's beloved routine, and he begins tentative communication with the little girl. This gentle lesson about overcoming sibling rivalry is told very simply and is perfectly illustrated with full- and double-page softly realistic paintings of the winsome Westie, with his expressive face and his comfortable, middle-class family, set against a 1930s background.?Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (October 16, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786803169
• ISBN-13: 978-0786803163
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,930,031 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in New York City, Rosemary Wells grew up in a house "filled with books, dogs, and nineteenth-century music." Her childhood years were spent between her parents' home near Red Bank, New Jersey, and her grandmother's rambling stucco house on the Jersey Shore. Most of her sentimental memories, both good and bad, stem from that place and time. Her mother was a dancer in the Russian Ballet, and her father a playwright and actor. Mrs. Wells says, "Both my parents flooded me with books and stories. My grandmother took me on special trips to the theater and museums in New York. "Rosemary Wells's career as an author and illustrator spans more than 30 years and 60 books. She has won numerous awards, and has given readers such unforgettable characters as Max and Ruby, Noisy Nora, and Yoko. She has also given Mother Goose new life in two enormous, definitive editions, published by Candlewick. Wells wrote and illustrated Unfortunately Harriet, her first book with Dial, in 1972. One year later she wrote the popular Noisy Nora. "The children and our home life have inspired, in part, many of my books. Our West Highland white terrier, Angus, had the shape and expressions to become Benjamin and Tulip, Timothy, and all the other animals I have made up for my stories." Her daughters Victoria and Beezoo were constant inspirations, especially for the now famous "Max" board book series. "Simple incidents from childhood are universal," Wells says. "The dynamics between older and younger siblings are common to all families."But not all of Wells' ideas come from within the family circle. Many times when speaking, Mrs. Wells is asked where her ideas come from. She usually answers, "It's a writer's job to have ideas." Sometimes an idea comes from something she reads or hears about, as in the case of her recent book, Mary on Horseback, a story based on the life of Mary Breckenridge, who founded the Frontier Nursing Service. Timothy Goes to School was based on an incident in which her daughter was teased for wearing the wrong clothes to a Christmas concert. Her dogs, west highland terriers, Lucy and Snowy, work their way into her drawings in expression and body position. She admits, "I put into my books all of the things I remember. I am an accomplished eavesdropper in restaurants, trains, and gatherings of any kind. These remembrances are jumbled up and changed because fiction is always more palatable than truth. Memories become more true as they are honed and whittled into characters and stories."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars McDuff a Family Favorite, June 20, 2000

By 

JULIE (West Milton, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: McDuff and the Baby (Hardcover)

My one-year-old daughter loves McDuff. The illustrations are what really make this book stand out. They convey a sense of humor that even adults can enjoy - we love when McDuff gives the baby squinty looks! We read every night but McDuff and the Baby is the only book that she will sit all the way through - smiling at every page. We look forward to more McDuff books!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect little book, about a perfect little dog!, March 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: McDuff and the Baby (Hardcover)

I loved this book! I bought it for my niece because I have aWestie. The illustrations compliment the story extremely well. Youcan really tell that the writer and illustrator both own Westies! I recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs, especially little McDuffs.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My son fell in love with McDuff!, January 20, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Northeastern Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: McDuff and the Baby (Hardcover)

I began reading McDuff and the Baby to my son when he was 4 days old and he is now 13 months and it is still his hands-down favorite. We have purchased all of the McDuff books and the character has captured all of our hearts. I strongly recommend this book and the others in the series to all parents who want their children to love reading!