Dodsworth in London

Dodsworth, a distinguished mouse, and his mischievous friend—a white duck known only as “the duck”—are visiting London. Join this charming duo as they tour the city and take in the familiar landmarks of a fictional early 20th-century England, bustling with a menagerie of impeccably dressed animal characters who go about their days and speak in proper British accents. 

Their first stop is a pub, and almost immediately, the duck’s shenanigans land the friends in trouble. After attempting to join a city tour on a red double-decker bus, a crowded station separates the pair, setting off a comical series of events that brings as much distress as they do delight. From losing his duck friend to a case of mistaken identity, Dodsworth is left feeling utterly devastated. Will Scotland Yard solve the case of the missing duck—and will these two friends find a way to reunite? 

In this chapter book, Egan’s themes of friendship, loss, and perseverance run through a simple narrative that is sure to keep young readers in suspense. Picking up where Dodsworth in Paris left off, the duo arrives in England by hot air balloon, and the duck immediately causes havoc. Dodsworth is constantly trying to ensure his friend behaves appropriately, while the duck—driven by earnest curiosity—seeks mischief at every turn. Spotting the pub’s darts and dartboard, Dodsworth warns, “Don’t even think about it.” You can guess what happens next! The two friends have a lighthearted way of coexisting, and ever-practical Dodsworth decides the best way to tour the city is by bus, so he can keep an eye on his friend and avoid losing him in the fog. But the plan backfires. 

What comes next steers the story toward a spectacular final twist. Young readers will relate to the heartbreak Dodsworth feels when he realizes he’s lost track of his friend, but that realization doesn’t come right away. Playfully, Egan introduces another duck into the story, and through a case of mistaken identity, Dodsworth meets a “Royal Duck.” A series of hilarious exchanges soon makes it clear that this duck, who speaks “with a British accent,” isn’t his duck. Fortunately, the Royal Duck proves to be a soothing and empathetic presence, becoming a pivotal ally in the search for Dodsworth’s missing friend. 

The story is suitable for fluent readers who are ready for a book with multiple plotlines. Cheerful watercolor and ink illustrations appear on every page. Many of the illustrations depict the characters’ facial expressions, which will help readers understand their emotions more clearly. Additionally, readers can use context clues and illustrations to understand the meanings of unfamiliar words, such as pub. The story subtly introduces British English vocabulary, such as crumpets and tea, as well as landmarks including Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. Although Dodsworth is a series, the books do not need to be read in order, as each focuses on a distinct storyline. 

Reminiscent of the Shakespearean play Much Ado About Nothing, this lighthearted story unfolds as readers try to discover where the duck actually is. This all unfolds against Dodsworth’s unwavering perseverance to find his friend. With help from the Royal Duck, Scotland Yard, the Buckingham Palace guards, and the Queen herself, the story concludes on a happy note sure to satisfy young readers and parents alike. The story concludes when “Dodsworth laughed and hugged the duck again. And this time, as the night fell on London, the duck actually hugged him back.” 

Sexual Content  

• None 

Violence  

• None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

• None 

Language  

• None 

Supernatural 

• None 

Spiritual Content  

• None