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A Day in the Life of Murphy
MURPHY-STOP-THAT is my name. I am a terrier. I bark. I bark at anything and everything and all the time.
On a farm filled with delicious kitchen smells and dumb farm animals and unexplained noises, there's always something to keep a dog busy — and often in trouble. From his morning rush to the house for breakfast to his final rounds before curling up in his comfortable bed in the barn at night, Murphy is the sort of irrepressible but lovable dog that only Alice Provensen, with her trademark affection for even misbehaving animals, could portray.
Paperback
First published May 1, 2003
About the author
Alice Provensen
85 books50 followersAlice Provensen collaborated with her late husband, Martin, on numerous highly acclaimed picture books, including the Caldecott Medal-winning The Glorious Flight and Nancy Willard's Newbery Medal-winning A Visit to William Blake's Inn, which was also a Caldecott Honor Book. The Provensens have been on the New York Times list of the Ten Best Illustrated Books eight times.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 5, 2022
Love ❤️!
September 25, 2018
What is a day in the life of Murphy like? He always wants to go in the house to eat dinner!
November 2, 2018
Story: 2 stars
Illustrations: 3 stars
Murphy is a Cairn Terrier! I love dogs and that is my very favorite breed. They are not represented often in literature/film (with the exception of The Wizard of Oz and the original Ghost and Mrs. Muir movie).
Unfortunately this picture book falls short of my hopes. Cairn Terriers are not typically farm dogs. I would have liked to see a typical day for Murphy, rather than a trip to the vet, which is a rare occurrence for healthy dogs. Cairn Terriers are smart, energetic, and adventurous; so Murphy's aversion to riding in a car is strange. While terriers do tend to bark a lot, training curbs incessant barking. It's not clear to me whether Murphy is sleeping in the barn as punishment, or if that is his usual place to sleep. He claims it's "not a bad place after all," but he looks very unhappy on that last page.
Illustrations: 3 stars
Murphy is a Cairn Terrier! I love dogs and that is my very favorite breed. They are not represented often in literature/film (with the exception of The Wizard of Oz and the original Ghost and Mrs. Muir movie).
Unfortunately this picture book falls short of my hopes. Cairn Terriers are not typically farm dogs. I would have liked to see a typical day for Murphy, rather than a trip to the vet, which is a rare occurrence for healthy dogs. Cairn Terriers are smart, energetic, and adventurous; so Murphy's aversion to riding in a car is strange. While terriers do tend to bark a lot, training curbs incessant barking. It's not clear to me whether Murphy is sleeping in the barn as punishment, or if that is his usual place to sleep. He claims it's "not a bad place after all," but he looks very unhappy on that last page.
January 13, 2011
I want to give this three stars - but only because the dog is so damn cute. The story is for sure a two star story.
I'm still not even sure there was any point to it. And if there was no point it definitely was not fun enough for a "pointless" book IMO.
Neither of us are very picky when it comes to illustrations so while this is very plain, very bare, I think it worked fine and Julia didn't have any problem with it.
I'm still not even sure there was any point to it. And if there was no point it definitely was not fun enough for a "pointless" book IMO.
Neither of us are very picky when it comes to illustrations so while this is very plain, very bare, I think it worked fine and Julia didn't have any problem with it.
August 22, 2007
My husband and I bought this book after hearing a review and reading of it on NPR one Saturday morning when we were pregnant with our son. It is easily one of our favorite books--for both kids and adults. Murphy, a terrier with an attitude lives on a farm. He tells his own story of his day (including a trip to the vet). The pictures are delightful and the story wonderful.
May 30, 2008
If you’ve ever wondered what’s going on in the mind of a yipping, sniffing, hustling, jumping, manic terrier — wonder no more! This classically simple, hilarious book tells all.
You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
October 30, 2025
I've got problems with this book.
Murphy is allowed to run wild on his farm. He barks at anything at all hours of the night. Just keep him in the house, idiots. Get rid of that cat-flap and don't make the dog sleep in a barn.
Poor Murphy has his annual trip to the vet today. He has on no collar or leash. This is amazingly dangerous.
Murphy is also hit by a broom when he's caught chewing on a shoe. Well, of COURSE he's going to chew on anything he can reach. Just place all of the boots and shoes in a closet, MORONS.
Murphy has a Napoleon complex, but I still wanted to reach inside of that book and rescue him to live in my home with my two dogs.
Murphy is allowed to run wild on his farm. He barks at anything at all hours of the night. Just keep him in the house, idiots. Get rid of that cat-flap and don't make the dog sleep in a barn.
Poor Murphy has his annual trip to the vet today. He has on no collar or leash. This is amazingly dangerous.
Murphy is also hit by a broom when he's caught chewing on a shoe. Well, of COURSE he's going to chew on anything he can reach. Just place all of the boots and shoes in a closet, MORONS.
Murphy has a Napoleon complex, but I still wanted to reach inside of that book and rescue him to live in my home with my two dogs.
August 21, 2024
We had a bichon poodle mix named Moky who looked just like Murphy. He was a wonderfully cranky and had a personality to the moon kind of dog, loving to those he adored (fortunately I was on the list) and growly to those he didn't (my poor husband who received glares) and I think he thought he was married to my daughter. He died too young, my daughter sports a tattoo of his paw print, and even the cover of this book kills me. But it is also a great little tale.
March 21, 2019
Told from the viewpoint of a scotty dog, this is a fun book full of nervous energy. The copy I read also has a book on cd. Caveat: the print/some artwork is small, so it is probably not appropriate for story hour or memory care story hour unless one-on-one.
December 6, 2017
**Rated by my son**
May 25, 2018
Murphy is a farm dog, a yappy terrier. This is a delightful, make-you-smile story of a day in Murphy's life. Fun illustrations.
June 4, 2018
A funny story told by the dog's point of view.
January 12, 2019
A little frenetic for my taste, but the 2yo was entertained.
February 11, 2020
A day in the life. Delightful illustrations by the author accompany the meandering text.
August 25, 2020
A pretty depressing story about an unusually pessimistic dog.. Though, I love Provensen illustrations.
February 1, 2021
The students liked it.
September 9, 2021
I found it kinda strange but the girls begged me to read it to them again immediately after I finished…
July 14, 2023
unusual writing style, not in love with it
July 31, 2023
I wanted to like this more than I did. It just didn't catch me and I found Murphy and his narration more annoying than cute. I'm sure others feel quite differently.
June 23, 2011
Ahh...every dog lover will commiserate with this lovable terrier pooch who thinks his name is Murphy-Stop-That. Of course, in Murphy's eyes, he lives with a dumb cat and a dumb hound (and other dumb farm animals). He can't stop his nose from smelling all those delicious aromas in the kitchen...even the mouse under the stove. But, when Murphy gets in the car and arrives at the DVM. He knows those smells of fear and is looking forward to home.
Used for "No More Noise" Storytime: July, 2011.
Used for "No More Noise" Storytime: July, 2011.
July 21, 2015
In the style of "Diary of a Wombat" by Jackie French which was also published in 2003 but received far more critical attention, winning various awards. If you told me Jackie French wrote this book, I'd believe you.
Some people obviously find this style funny and charming, but it's not really for me.
I'm sure this would be useful for beginning readers, especially if they liked dogs.
Some people obviously find this style funny and charming, but it's not really for me.
I'm sure this would be useful for beginning readers, especially if they liked dogs.
June 3, 2017
children's picture book with CD. I liked the audio but it does work better as a read-along (viewing the pictures while listening). This is older and not ideal for new readers (small, all-caps font, among other considerations) but is still enjoyable for those not concerned with honing their reading skills.
May 23, 2015
Um.. meh.
There wasn't much at all to this book -- no story, no point.
And, I usually don't comment on font choices, but this one was written with all caps all the way through. It seemed odd.
There wasn't much at all to this book -- no story, no point.
And, I usually don't comment on font choices, but this one was written with all caps all the way through. It seemed odd.
January 24, 2016
Get inside the mind of Murphy, a small terrier, as he describes a day in his life. What is his favorite room in the house? Why doesn't he like car trips? Why is he always in such a hurry to get somewhere? And what in the world is he barking at?
September 9, 2008
Perfect depiction of a dog's day!
January 5, 2011
I really liked this book because I own two terriers. Ms. Provensen hit it dead-on. Really cute illustrations. Funny story and they really do bark because they think the moon moved. :)
January 2, 2010
A less than steller entry from one half of the Provensen team, though still readable. Definitely for the younger crowd.
September 27, 2010
hilarious account of one jittery dog's life from sunup to sundown. must be read enthusiastically by and for dog lovers. laugh out loud funny. giggle fit funny.
January 18, 2011
a 5 star book for illustration.....a 2 star book for story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews