Reviews

Straight-man Dodsworth and his skylarking duck travel 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. (Nov.) Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

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 duck-the 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 Reed Business Information.

"Straight-man Dodsworth and his skylarking duck travel 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...Accessible storytelling and likable characters warrant repeat readings."--"Publishers Weekly
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"In this short chapter book, Dodsworth and his friend, a duck, continue their travels, this time arriving in London via hot-air balloon...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 "--"School Library Journal"