On a Fourth of July picnic with his human family, McDuff, a beloved but trouble-mongering white terrier, inadvertently allows "silent invaders" (namely, ants) to make off with the entire contents of the lunch basket. Luckily, McDuff has a way with strangers (and their picnic baskets), and in no time flat, he's finagled an invitation from a lonely older man to share his meal with the family.

Rosemary Wells and Susan Jeffers's series about the earnest pooch and his expanding community of friends and family harkens back to quainter days, when baby carriers were buckled into cars with leather straps and kind gentlemen didn't mind sharing their fried chicken and devil's food cake with strangers. Jeffers's inviting paintings of 1930s cars and fashions, and of course the little white dog himself, are warm and appealing. Readers who loved McDuff Goes to School and McDuff's New Friend will enjoy this summery entry in the series. (Ages 3 to 5) --Emilie Coulter


From Publishers Weekly
When a pack of ants invades owners Fred and Lucy's Fourth of July picnic, the Westie star finds the perfect solution in McDuff Saves the Day by Rosemary Wells, illus. by Susan Jeffers. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-The sweet, furry pup is back again in a slightly longer tale. Fred, Lucy, their baby, and McDuff are going on a Fourth of July outing and the car is full-to-overflowing with baby gear and picnic paraphernalia. After stopping twice, once to walk and water the dog and again to feed the child, they finally reach Lake Ocarina. McDuff is put in charge of guarding the picnic basket while Lucy and Fred unload the car. When ants carry off their provisions, the West Highland terrier goes in search of food and discovers Mr. DiMaggio's meatballs. The older gentleman shares his picnic with the young family so no one is hungry and no one is lonely. When Mr. DiMaggio plays "The Star-Spangled Banner" on his concertina, the baby's wails and McDuff's howls signal the end of the celebration. Jeffers's humorous illustrations-sometimes four to a page-reveal the day in detail and depict the summer holiday with an old-fashioned flavor. The dog's various expressions are perfectly represented, showing his contentment, surprise, determination, hunger, dismay, and satisfaction. The text will strike a chord with parents who understand all the work that traveling with a young child entails, and youngsters will be pleased to see that this lovable canine has returned.Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
PreS.-Gr.2. In this episode of the charming McDuff series, little Highland terrier McDuff and his people-family head out on the Fourth of July picnic. For McDuff, the car trip has its ups (the aromatic fried chicken on the backseat) and downs (sharing space with the new baby). After numerous starts and stops, the family arrives at the lake, ready to enjoy the day. Alas, ants get to the picnic before the people do, but a resourceful, hungry McDuff finds food and, in the process, a new friend. The droll third-person narrative alternates between canine and human points of view, and Jeffers' colorful, glossy illustrations, often presented in multiple panels, with vintage details, use varied perspectives to enhance the text's humor and drama. McDuff's expressive face and his well-meaning if misunderstood antics make this a charmer. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Card catalog description
Fred, Lucy, the baby, and McDuff go to the lake for a Fourth of July picnic, but when ants consume all of their food it's up to McDuff to find something for them to eat.

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
Everyone's favorite West Highland terrier is sniffing out food and a little friendship on July 4th! When Lucy and Jeff take McDuff and the baby to Lake Ocarina for a holiday picnic, McDuff is stuck in the backseat. Lucky for him, there's also a basket of yummy fried chicken to keep him company! After they arrive, McDuff's put in charge of watching the food while Lucy and Jeff are preparing the spot -- but this time it's hungry ants who get into the basket instead of McDuff. The curious terrier decides to go off and find more vittles, but after McDuff has a little run-in with Mr. DiMaggio over some delicious meatballs, the foursome end up sharing Mr. DiMaggio's picnic and celebrating Independence Day together.

Rosemary Wells's rambunctious McDuff is a charming fit for July 4th since he's a little firecracker himself and never fails to keep readers in stitches with his playful, feisty attitude. Susan Jeffers's heartwarming illustrations will have children aww-ing over the cuddly pooch, whose many expressions are both delightful and mischievous. Wonderful for story times and reading on car trips, McDuff Saves the Day is a fun summertime romp! (Matt Warner)

ANNOTATION

Fred, Lucy, the baby, and McDuff go to the lake for a Fourth of July picnic, but when ants consume all of their food it's up to McDuff to find something for them to eat.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

When Fred and Lucy's delectable picnic is devoured by an army of creepy crawly critters, McDuff sets out to find some lunch for his family. With his nose to the ground, the determined Westie bumps into Mr. DiMaggio, who just happens to have more food than he knows what to do with! When a starving Fred and Lucy are invited to share Mr. DiMaggio's picnic, new friendships blossom, appetites are satisfied, and McDuff is hailed hero of the day!

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The wiley Westie returns in McDuff's Wild Romp by Rosemary Wells, illus. by Susan Jeffers, in which he heads off to Aunt Frieda's with the baby, and winds up besting the woman's cat for the baby's Turkey Tidbits and wreaking havoc in the process. Joining this square paper-over-board format are reissues of McDuff Goes to School (0-7868-5676-9), McDuff Moves In (Apr.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-The sweet, furry pup is back again in a slightly longer tale. Fred, Lucy, their baby, and McDuff are going on a Fourth of July outing and the car is full-to-overflowing with baby gear and picnic paraphernalia. After stopping twice, once to walk and water the dog and again to feed the child, they finally reach Lake Ocarina. McDuff is put in charge of guarding the picnic basket while Lucy and Fred unload the car. When ants carry off their provisions, the West Highland terrier goes in search of food and discovers Mr. DiMaggio's meatballs. The older gentleman shares his picnic with the young family so no one is hungry and no one is lonely. When Mr. DiMaggio plays "The Star-Spangled Banner" on his concertina, the baby's wails and McDuff's howls signal the end of the celebration. Jeffers's humorous illustrations-sometimes four to a page-reveal the day in detail and depict the summer holiday with an old-fashioned flavor. The dog's various expressions are perfectly represented, showing his contentment, surprise, determination, hunger, dismay, and satisfaction. The text will strike a chord with parents who understand all the work that traveling with a young child entails, and youngsters will be pleased to see that this lovable canine has returned.-Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews