The McDuff Stories [Hardcover]

Rosemary Wells (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 2000 | Grade Level: P and up

A series of stories in which McDuff, a West Highland Terrier puppy, finds a wonderful home, has an adventure chasing a rabbit, adjusts to a new baby in the house, and helps rescue Santa.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (September 2, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786806974
• ISBN-13: 978-0786806973
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #989,321 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

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We love McDuff!, September 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The McDuff Stories (Hardcover)

My children and I were absolutely delighted to discover these adorable books. We have always had Westies, so these beautifully illustrated heartwarming stories are very special; but to tell the truth, anyone who loves dogs will love McDuff. With so many fast action, violence filled books competing for kids' attention, these stories offer a welcome option. I have found that children from the toddler stage through the teenage years are enchanted with both the illustrations and stories. They vividly recall an old fashioned world of friendly neighbors and cozy times. My own children are older now--l4,l8 and 21--but they still chuckle about little McDuff and whenever they see me cleaning off the bookshelves, they make certain to remind me in no uncertain terms not to "give any of those books away!"

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable!, August 28, 2003

By 

Kelly M. Erickson (New Port Richey, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The McDuff Stories (Hardcover)

I love that they've combined 4 of the McDuff stories under one cover. This is a great gift for a child who does not have any McDuff books. The illustrations are gorgeous and right on the mark as far as capturing the Westie personality. My children love the McDuff tales almost as much as they love their own Westie, Auggie.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really fun, May 5, 2003

By 

mom of 3 (Pottstown, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The McDuff Stories (Hardcover)

The McDuff stories are so much fun. The illustrations are so unique and rich. My 6 year old daughter really loves to read these books. Not only are they about a really adorable dog, but they are fun to read, too. After your second or 3rd McDuff story, you really get attached to this dog! We're on a mission to collect all the McDuff stories, so this is a great book to start with!