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McDuff
McDuff Comes Home
McDuff the little white dog gets lost while chasing a bunny and needs help finding his way home.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
About the author
Rosemary Wells
488 books388 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Rosemary Wells is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby and Timothy from Timothy Goes To School (both were later adapted into Canadian-animated preschool television series, the former’s airing on Nickelodeon (part of the Nick Jr. block) and the latter’s as part of PBS Kids on PBS).
Rosemary Wells is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby and Timothy from Timothy Goes To School (both were later adapted into Canadian-animated preschool television series, the former’s airing on Nickelodeon (part of the Nick Jr. block) and the latter’s as part of PBS Kids on PBS).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 1, 2021
3.5 stars
This is a very nice story about a little white terrier, I think a Westie, who sees a rabbit, goes off on a chase and then can’t remember the way home. I expect Mc Duff isn’t the only terrier to have been in that predicament. All’s well that ends well, and Mc Duff makes it home, rabbit escapes and his family is so pleased to see him that he gets some treats.
I do really like some of Rosemary Wells illustrations, in some places it looks very disturbing and 80s, some people look like strange Gilbert and George characters, but the terrier illustrations are wonderful.
Read on open library.
This is a very nice story about a little white terrier, I think a Westie, who sees a rabbit, goes off on a chase and then can’t remember the way home. I expect Mc Duff isn’t the only terrier to have been in that predicament. All’s well that ends well, and Mc Duff makes it home, rabbit escapes and his family is so pleased to see him that he gets some treats.
I do really like some of Rosemary Wells illustrations, in some places it looks very disturbing and 80s, some people look like strange Gilbert and George characters, but the terrier illustrations are wonderful.
Read on open library.
March 28, 2016
Rosemary Wells knows little terriers all too well! What a fun story with a great ending.One of my all-time favorite children's book series. The artwork is fantastic and truly captures the expressions of small terriers perfectly. Rosemary Wells writes wonderful expressive stories. Perfectly captures the personality of West Highland White terriers.
January 24, 2020
Mc Duff who appears to be a white terrier spies something next door, a rabbit, and the chase is on until the rabbit finds safety in his rabbit hole. McDuff is tired, falls asleep under the eggplant, tomatoes, and yellow squash in Mrs. Higgins garden who comes to McDuff’s rescue.
Lovely deep hue colors in these full page paintings by Susan Jeffers.
Lovely deep hue colors in these full page paintings by Susan Jeffers.
April 15, 2008
We just adore McDuff. The boys like him because he is cute and gets into mischief. I love the artwork; the furniture, the ladies' clothes. Fun to read!
December 5, 2018
McDuff the little white dog, while sitting in his favorite spot in the yard looks through the fence, and sees something he's never seen before - a fat rabbit! He chases the rabbit through the fence, and in the process loses his dog tags, and as the chase finally comes to an end McDuff realizes that he's lost. How he finally gets back home is just as adventuresome as it was him getting lost.
December 10, 2017
A nice, simple story with a happy ending.
Like the first book in the series, McDuff finds himself in a bit of a predicament, but everything works out in the end. Very simple writing, but a cute story.
For more reviews, check out my blog Craft-Cycle
Like the first book in the series, McDuff finds himself in a bit of a predicament, but everything works out in the end. Very simple writing, but a cute story.
For more reviews, check out my blog Craft-Cycle
September 16, 2021
I liked the story line. How I would use this book in the classroom is I would use it as a book to read aloud to my students and for them to enjoy. I might even quiz them on what happens in the different McDuff stories.
July 20, 2024
Fun kinetic illustrations chasing the bunny, a very metal motorcycle-riding old lady with riding goggles, and apple pie--and of course sausage and vanilla rice pudding--at the end. A punchy little endeavor.
March 27, 2026
I like the story on this even better than the original. The author manages to include a few familiar details but in a beautifully innovative way. Lovely, bright illustrations of the neighbor's garden and a clever solution from the canine main character make this book as fresh today as ever.
February 28, 2018
These simple storylines of McDuff are easy to follow and have simple 1960s-type illustrations. My kids and I love reading about this adorable little dog.
Read
October 8, 2019McDuff is relaxing in his yard when he says a big fluffy rabbit. While chasing the rabbit McDuff loses his dog tags. His adventure home soon becomes an exciting one.
December 21, 2019
McDuff chases a rabbit and gets lost. A kind woman brings him home. He learns a valuable lesson about staying in his own yard.
December 21, 2019
Library book. We loved this book about a little dog! Adorable illustrations and a happy ending.
September 12, 2020
Another great Westie story I have shared with my grandchildren on owning and caring for a pet!
February 3, 2021
Read to Sam.
July 13, 2021
This one captures the Westie Pup PERFECTLY. Oh how precious.
January 4, 2024
Such a cute little book! I'll definitely be reading more of this series to my son.
February 17, 2026
cute story
December 3, 2019
Little kids who love dogs will really enjoy this book! This book has a great ending! Loved reading
October 19, 2025
McDuff chases a bunny...and needs some help finding his way home.
September 28, 2013
Rosemary Wells, McDuff Comes Home (Hyperion, 1997)
The McDuff stories are big juju among my wife's family. (My wife explained it to me as “my mom always wanted a Scotty” at one point.) I'd never heard of them before the bean came along, but the first time Grandma took him to the library, they came home with a fistful, two of them from the library's ongoing used book sale, three taken out of the library. As far as I could tell, McDuff Comes Home was the second of them, chronologically. After the events of McDuff Moves In, McDuff gets caught up chasing a rabbit, loses his collar, and is found by an inquisitive gardener who takes off through the city looking for his home. From my standpoint, I had the same problems with this one I had with the other books in the series—some awkward language, an odd/inchoate feeling of anachronism given the setting of the stories (they're set in the fifties, which makes me unable to help comparing them with the Beany Malone books)—but the real killer here was the bean's reaction. He likes a couple of the books well enough, tolerates a couple of the others, but it took us seven or eight attempts to get through this one the first time; he would hear the first words of page one and have an immediate, sometimes violent, negative reaction (i.e., the book went flying across the room more than once). Not one that will be coming home with us again. **
The McDuff stories are big juju among my wife's family. (My wife explained it to me as “my mom always wanted a Scotty” at one point.) I'd never heard of them before the bean came along, but the first time Grandma took him to the library, they came home with a fistful, two of them from the library's ongoing used book sale, three taken out of the library. As far as I could tell, McDuff Comes Home was the second of them, chronologically. After the events of McDuff Moves In, McDuff gets caught up chasing a rabbit, loses his collar, and is found by an inquisitive gardener who takes off through the city looking for his home. From my standpoint, I had the same problems with this one I had with the other books in the series—some awkward language, an odd/inchoate feeling of anachronism given the setting of the stories (they're set in the fifties, which makes me unable to help comparing them with the Beany Malone books)—but the real killer here was the bean's reaction. He likes a couple of the books well enough, tolerates a couple of the others, but it took us seven or eight attempts to get through this one the first time; he would hear the first words of page one and have an immediate, sometimes violent, negative reaction (i.e., the book went flying across the room more than once). Not one that will be coming home with us again. **
October 12, 2012
1. Rating: 3
2. A book review from School Library Journal said, "McDuff, an all-too-curious Yorkshire terrier, finds himself far from home when a rabbit in the next yard proves to be too much temptation and he takes off after it. The rabbit outwits him, though, and the small dog suddenly realizes that he's lost. Help comes in the form of a lively senior citizen who finds the wayward pup and takes him home (with directions from McDuff) on her motorcycle. Wells is a master at the delicate art of story, and Jeffers's realistic illustrations are wonderfully enticing. They successfully depict the curiosity that got McDuff into trouble in the first place, the penitent look when the elderly woman finds him, and the excitement of reunion."
3. This was a story about a dog, McDuff, leaving home (and his fenced in area) chasing a rabbit around and then falling asleep in a old woman's garden. She ends up finding her way back to his house and dropping him off with his grateful owner's. I think children in grades K-3 would enjoy this book (either being read aloud when they are younger or reading it themselves when they are a little older) as there are nice illustrations of the sweet little dog and it has a good lesson about why you should not leave home without a parent/adult.
2. A book review from School Library Journal said, "McDuff, an all-too-curious Yorkshire terrier, finds himself far from home when a rabbit in the next yard proves to be too much temptation and he takes off after it. The rabbit outwits him, though, and the small dog suddenly realizes that he's lost. Help comes in the form of a lively senior citizen who finds the wayward pup and takes him home (with directions from McDuff) on her motorcycle. Wells is a master at the delicate art of story, and Jeffers's realistic illustrations are wonderfully enticing. They successfully depict the curiosity that got McDuff into trouble in the first place, the penitent look when the elderly woman finds him, and the excitement of reunion."
3. This was a story about a dog, McDuff, leaving home (and his fenced in area) chasing a rabbit around and then falling asleep in a old woman's garden. She ends up finding her way back to his house and dropping him off with his grateful owner's. I think children in grades K-3 would enjoy this book (either being read aloud when they are younger or reading it themselves when they are a little older) as there are nice illustrations of the sweet little dog and it has a good lesson about why you should not leave home without a parent/adult.
September 3, 2020
McDuff books by Rosemary Wells have the spirit and characteristics of West Highland White Terriers captured perfectly. I should know, I have shared my life with Westies for over 35 years. The illustrations by Susan Jeffers are outstanding. This particular story brought tears of joy to my heart for one of my Westies got to experience chasing bunnies in real life. Westies do love the chase and they can quickly zig and zag with the best of God's creatures... even deer... much to this Westie mom's amazement and horror! The Westie's heart is as big as their attitude. This is a wonderful little book for children and adults!!! 💜🐾💜
September 26, 2012
We love reading books by Rosemary Wells and we've read a couple of the books in the McDuff series and we really like the fluffy little guy. The story is simple and helps remind our girls that the world is very big and sometimes scary to a little pup like him. We've recently adopted a puppy and this was also a good reminder to keep our eye on her, especially if she goes exploring. We enjoyed reading this book together.
November 6, 2012
Mc Duff is at it again, and in "His" garden is an interloper... a rabbit! so he chases the rabbit, who then leads him all over hill and dale, losing his collar and tags in the process, till he is so tired he collapses on foreign soil. Its really only Mrs. Higgins garden, but she finds him asleep, under a bush and is determined to bring him home. Secured in the cab of her motorcycle side car she drices him around untill he redognizes his house and is reunited with his family.
The illustrations of the motorcycle careening through the streets are hysterical....loved it.
The illustrations of the motorcycle careening through the streets are hysterical....loved it.
March 22, 2019
This a cute, charming but ultimately not-necessarily-up-my-alley book. McDuff is adorable as all get out. The story is simple, so it's wonderful for young children. It's nice. I'm not a fan of the page with the many McDuff's and bunnies because I guarantee that will confuse many young children. But it's cute!
March 31, 2015
McDuff is adorable! I'm not normally a fan of Rosemary Wells, but McDuff is adorable!
As I was reading this book to my six-year-old son, he picked up his rabbit off of the floor and started acting out the story.
I loved the 1940-ish illustrations, too.
As I was reading this book to my six-year-old son, he picked up his rabbit off of the floor and started acting out the story.
I loved the 1940-ish illustrations, too.
February 8, 2016
McDuff spies a rabbit and chases it out of the comfortable confines of his own yard, loosing his collar in the process. He become lost, but with the help of a kindly woman, he finds his way home. One of Dex's (2 y.o.) favorite series.
Cute illustrations.
Cute illustrations.
June 2, 2019
I love McDuff books and hope they don't completely disappear! Some libraries are still holding on to them and I am grateful for that. The sweet little dog's adventures are amusing and easy to share with a group thanks to the gorgeous illustrations and easy to follow text. Perfect for Storytime.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews