McDuff Moves in (Goodnight) [Hardcover]

Rosemary Wells (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1997 | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Goodnight

In McDuff Moves In, the plucky little terrier searches for a home--eventually finding a warm and loving one with Fred and Lucy. Susan Jeffers has created unforgettable characters and gorgeous, 1940's settings for Rosemary Wells' simple yet emotionally rich story. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2. A personable pup is rejected at several doors before finding a loving home, complete with an herbal bath and vanilla rice pudding.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 3^-5. A little dog jumps out of the dogcatcher's truck one night and goes looking for a home. At the first house, another dog barks at him. At the second, a cat hisses. But at the third house, a young couple invite him in to share their sausages and rice pudding and to have a bath. Though they start to drive him to the pound, they change their minds and take him back home to stay. The paintings create a 1930s setting full of innocence and charmwas there a time and place when people would set out for the dog pound at night wearing their pajamas and robes? Perhaps only the book's dreamlike quality could make this seem natural. With the many night scenes, the illustrations use a rather muted palette and simple lines, which contributes to the book's quiet tone. This collaboration by Wells and Jeffers is as sweet, substantial, and comforting as that bowl of rice pudding and will suit the many children who like stories with simple words, clear story lines, and happily-ever-after endings. Carolyn Phelan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786803185
• ISBN-13: 978-0786803187
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #959,270 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

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A stylish, happy-ending book for toddlers, July 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: McDuff Moves in (Goodnight) (Hardcover)

Our toddler loves McDuff Moves In. I like to think it's because of the stylish, 1920's-era illustrations. The colours and images are unlike those of any other books in our collection. The matt colours are perfect for the wet, night setting. Art Deco textiles, wallpaper and hair styles make it even more interesting.

The illustrations are backed up by great text. Frequent animal sounds like "Woof!" and "Hiss!" make it fun to read aloud, and a perceptive two year-old will join in. The dialogue is interesting, and I found myself experimenting with inflection. It's nice to change things a little on the 60th time through!

If you are looking for a book with a difference, try McDuff Moves In.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ashleigh LOVED this Rosemary Wells book!, January 3, 2000

By 

Lynne A. Fletcher - See all my reviews

This review is from: McDuff Moves in (Goodnight) (Hardcover)

I am a 2nd grader. My name is Ashleigh. I have been reading books by Rosemary Wells. My favorite book is McDUFF MOVES IN. I like this book because it makes me feel happy when McDuff finds a home.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, November 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: McDuff Moves in (Goodnight) (Hardcover)

I own this book, as well as others in the series. They are just great! My mom owns a Westie, perfectly named Duffy(he got the name before we new about the books), and the illustrator captures the essence of the Westie. Every picture is perfectly drawn to show the character of a Westie. I love the author as well. I have been a teacher and have always read Ms. Wells' books to my students and the McDuff series is loved by all. McDuff moves in is just a fun book to read and I recommend it to all ages.