Dodsworth in Paris

Dodsworth #2

by Tim Egan

Dodsworth and his (crazy) friend the duck have just arrived in Paris. It is their first time in the City of Lights, and they are ready for some adventures magnifique! Right away they see mimes, painters, and people wearing berets. They climb the Eiffel Tower, and the duck even finds some bent-over guy who rings bells for a living. It looks like it is going to turn out to be a great vacation in Paris . . . but trouble is never far from a misbehaving duck!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, France, Humor, Paris, Animals, Travel

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2008

Reviews

[Calista]

I love that this was set in Paris. I was not crazy about the story or the characters. It really didn't do a whole lot for me and I was not a fan of the duck at all.

I don't think I will be reading more Dodsworth. Not my cuppa.

[Chance Lee]

The kids loved Dodsworth and the duck traveling to Paris and having madcap adventures. The teachers enjoyed when they got stuck in the Tour de France, and I loved when the duck folded all their euros into paper airplanes and threw them off the Eiffel Tower, sending tourists into a tizzy.

[Sherry]

"Dodsworth in Paris" is a visual chapter book that will appeal to kids in 2nd and 3rd grade. I love the illustrations. I value the fact that its a chapter book that blends solid 2nd grade vocabulary with bigger words, as well as introducing domestic and foreign place names. Kids may enjoy the whimsical adventure of the duck tagging along uninvited. I do have slight reservations about the quality, and thus, the influence upon readers, of characterizations: the duck is a little too unkind and unempathetic toward Dodsworth. When the duck is naughty and Dodsworth scolds him, the duck passes off a tear as remorse, when the reader is told there was only "something in his eye for a second". Later, when Dodsworth and the duck take a tumble, and the duck appears dead for a moment, Dodsworth tries to determine whether his friend is alright; he then comforts the duck with a hug. The response from the duck is "The duck didn't really like to be hugged." Dodsworth is consistently loyal and kind to the duck, and is his safety net and his caretaker, yet the duck is unmoved, distant. These are not messages I would want children to absorb.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance]

Enough of Paris nonfiction. Let's explore Paris with Dodsworth (who is...a...large mouse? a mole?) and his duck. The two arrive in Paris, and the duck, with his usual lack of knowledge of the world, accidentally loses all their money. So Dodsworth and the duck must figure out a way to get some more money, and, of course, in a silly and serendipitous way, they do.

Very simple text. A just-for-fun plot. Appealing characters. An ideal first chapter book for young readers.

[Amy]

I like this charming chapter book, which really reminds me of the first books I read as a child, The Little Bear series by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Dodsworth in Paris has four chapters. Each page has four to six lines of print and a square watercolor illustration of the two characters, Dodsworth-who looks like a dog or a badger, and the duck-a plain white duck with no other name. They get a job selling bread. They visit the Louvre, and the Seine River. Dodsworth paints a picture. They hear and get to ring the bells of Notre Dame Cathedral. I counted twenty-two French words in the book, and recommend it to anyone who's got a young child learning French, as they could easily read the book aloud and show off their knowledge. The duck apparently has a mischievous side. Dodsworth has stuff happen to him - like getting swept up in a bunch of tour de France racers... all in all, it's just a good little book.

[Dolly]

This is the second book in the Dodsworth series by Tim Egan. The story features anthropomorphic characters and the odd pair of Dodsworth (not exactly sure what kind of animal he is) and a duck. It describes the French leg of their journey, continuing where the first book left off.

We first discovered this series when we read Dodsworth in Tokyo, and I thought we would go back and read the rest of the series in order. We liked the story and the duck is very silly. Dodsworth is a bit stiff and proper, but then every comedian needs a straight man, right?

Overall, we thought this was an entertaining story and we are looking forward to reading more of the books in this series.

[Maureen]

An interesting little tale of Dodsworth (the mole?) and his pet duck and their adventures in Paris. They arrive, eat, sleep, ring the bells in Notre Dame, climb the Eiffel Tower and lose all their money. Get a job delivering bread, lose the job, go to the Louvre for free, paint a picture that ultimately sells for 100 Euros and hot air balloon over the city. It's short and cute. My four year old loves the crazy tale and we can't wait to read Dodsworth in New York.

[Laura]

Delightful story, in 4 chapters, of Dodsworth's adventures with his duck while visiting Paris. Duck is prickly and prone to misbehavior, but fate is on the side of this tourist duo -- maybe because Dodsworth is so good-hearted. The drawings are superb too -- watercolors in beautiful hues, and figures with real personality; I see a bit of Richard Scarry influence in the animals and situations. I will be looking for more Tim Egan books after this one!

[Juneau Public Library]

Dodsworth and the duck travel to Paris by ship. They enjoy the food, the sights. From the top of the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre museum, Dodsworth and duck experience all things French. However, all does not go well as duck explores the city. Can Dodsworth save the day?

Lovely, sweet illustrations help us to explore Paris and bring the story to life!


An adventure that is fun and interesting!!

Recommended by Suzi

[Kate Hastings]

Grades 1-2. RL 340. Dodsworth and his silly duck visit Paris. Quite a few big words and some French words thrown in (debonaire, cathedral, euros, galleries). A fun way to introduce another culture in a beginning reader book. Good for reading together with an adult the first couple times through. The illustrations are adorable and reminiscent of more classic readers like Frog and Toad.

[Tammy]

We love "Dodsworth in (place)" series.

Not only the story is entertaining but it is also educational; the book mentions famous places within the city.

It is best to read the series in order but the individual books can be enjoyed by itself (however, do read the "The Pink Refrigerator" and "Dodsworth in New York" in those orders, first!).

[Kathy Ellen Davis]

Love this book.
I knew I would, since I loved the first Dodsworth I read.

They get into such fun trouble in this book!
I really like the short chapters, the full color illustrations, and the simple sentences.
The mayhem will keep kids laughing
and I'm SURE they will relate to the duck most of all.

It's great to see all these landmarks of Paris in an easy reader too!
A great book!

[Amy Gibson]

Dodsworth and his duck are at it again in the City of Lights. When Duck sends their money sailing as paper airplanes from the Eiffel Tower, their sightseeing vacation takes a turn for the worse. The two resort to delivering bread, performing as a mime in the park, and impressionist painting to fund their trip. Clever and fun.

[Rachel]

A very adorable easy reader book about two American animals, Dodsworth and his frustrating partner, the duck, who travel to Paris and have many adventures including visiting the Louvre and becoming part of the Tour de France.

[Katharine]

A few odd, non-early-reader words - "debonair", "euro" etc. But adorable story while learning a few things about Paris. My daughter who loves Madeline loved it and laughed out loud at duck a few times.

[Kim]

I read the Kindle version. Short chapters with challenging words; charming illustrations; interesting story with delightful characters. Dodsworth and Duck remind me of Laurell and Hardy.

themes: art, adventure, ducks, friends, Paris, travel, whatever critter Dodsworth is

[Molly]

Dodsworth and the duck are visiting Paris. Dodsworth warns duck not to get into any trouble, so of course, trouble ensues. This early reader has humor and great illustrations.

[Megan]

Better than some of the travel guides I've read.

[Jeri]

already looking forward to the next dodsworth adventure...tim egan needs to hurry!

[Kellista]

My students and I both thought this book was not as good as Dodsworth in New York. The book didn't hold their interest as long and we felt the story was lacking the charm the first book brought.

[Pam]

The Goodreads review of this book is accurate about this dog and his duck friend visiting Paris. Great book for anyone who is taking a young child to Paris. Early reader level.

[Carrie]

#1. A very charming children's adventure tale. Read them in order! The drawings are lovely, and I think everyone will understand Dodsworth's frustrations with his traveling companion, duck.

[Heather]

So many funny bits, with getting caught in the Tour de France and the duck throwing paper airplanes of the Eiffel Tower.

[Emma]

Definitely my new favorite early reader series. Loved the nod to Impressionist painting in this one. Brilliant!

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)]

I may be addicted to these books.

[Cara Farmer]

I enjoy Dodsworth. I love that he goes on adventures in different countries and that it makes learning about these places fun. This is a great transitional chapter book

[Emerson and Theodore]

Love it. Emerson's bed time reading many nights this week. Daddy has a sore throat.

[Henry]

MCL. I liked the part where they were on top of the Eiffel Tower.

[Hillvan]

340L

[Megan]

We love Dodsworth!! We have read, and re-read this series so many times!