Dodsworth in London

December 7, 2009
Straight-man Dodsworth and his skylarking ducktravel to foggy London in Egan's third gentle comedy of errors. Short chapters and dryly funny narration move the story along, amusing mishap to mishap. First, the duck throws an errant dart at a pub (“It was time to leave”), followed by a case of mistaken identity at the bus station, though the two eventually reunite at Buckingham Palace. Accessible storytelling and likable characters warrant repeat readings. Ages 6–9.

January 1, 2010
K-Gr 2-In this short chapter book, Dodsworth and his friend, a duck, continue their travels, this time arriving in London via hot-air balloon. They make a ruckus in a pub and become separated when the duck (in his little beret) boards a bus without Dodsworth. A case of mistaken identity drives the rest of the story, as a different duckthe Queen's duck, in fact (in a different hat, with an English accent)enters the scene. Egan's short, pithy sentences may appear appropriate for beginning readers, but the vocabulary and deadpan humor give it away as a book for adults to enjoy with children. The charming drawings, which include a menagerie of supporting characters and famous London landmarks, are drawn in muted colors and have a 1940s feel. For a retro read, pair this with Miroslav Sasek's "This Is London" (Universe, 2004)."Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2010
A talented duck, Egan demonstrates, has cross-cultural appeal. In their third outing, the duck accidentally boards a London bus without Dodsworth--leaving the latter to assume the refined fowl in the fancy hat standing nearby is just his friend putting on an act. As usual, Egan's wit is as sharp as the fashion sense of the assorted animals populating his droll ink and watercolor illustrations.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

November 1, 2009
In the third city on their whirlwind tour (Dodsworth in New York, rev. 9/07; Dodsworth in Paris, rev. 1/09), Dodsworth and his friend the duck are still doing what they do best -- seeing the sights and getting into trouble. When the duck accidentally boards a London bus (double-decker, of course) without him, Dodsworth is left to assume that the refined fowl in the fancy hat standing nearby is just his friend putting on an act. As usual, Egan's wit is as sharp as the fashion sense of the assorted animals populating his droll ink-and-watercolor illustrations. And no matter how perpetually peeved Dodsworth is at his friend, he still panics and imagines the worst when he realizes he has the wrong duck. "What if he's hurt? What if he's scared? What if I never find him?" One possibility Dodsworth fails to consider is, what if he's at Buckingham Palace entertaining the queen? A talented duck, Egan demonstrates, has cross-cultural appeal.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)