Dudley’s Day At Home

Reviews

From Children’s Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review
“What does Dudley do all day while we’re away?” Sam wonders. Mom explains that Dudley does ordinary dog things: he eats, naps, guards the house, and plays. But in Sam’s mind, Dudley’s day at home is anything but ordinary. Delightful digital paintings by Renee Andriani depict the human activities Sam imagines Dudley is doing — which don’t quite match Mom’s explanations. “Dudley’s Day at Home” is a funny, fetching picture book by author/storyteller Karen Kaufman Orloff that uses minimal text and maximal visual storytelling to share a day in a dog’s life. Very highly recommended for the family, daycare, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 3-5. It should be noted for personal reading lists that “Dudley’s Day at Home” is also readily available in a digital book format.

From The Corner on Character, Barbara Gruener
Themes: imagination, creativity, personification
When Sam asks and Mom answers, a fun picture of what Sam imagines their darling dog does when they’re away from home unfolds. And from his innocent question and mom’s generic answer come these brilliantly-joyful illustrations that completely capture Sam’s incredible imagination that has Dudley doing all sorts of entertaining and crazy-fun people stuff while they are away. From blowing bubbles and playing checkers and video games with the cat to jumping on the bed or using the treadmill without permission, Sam conjures up all sorts of silly shenanigans.
Use this creative newcomer to teach personification, then let it serve as a springboard for a fanciful discussion about what your children think that our pets, the hamsters, the fish, the cats, maybe even the larger animals like the horses,  the llamas or the cattle, do all day. Invite them to act it out in a charades-like game. 
Encourage them come up with some kind of a social contract (aka house and/or barnyard rules) to keep the animal antics in check. Using their wild imaginations, like Sam does, what might the animals agree to? What might they balk at? How can they keep them all safe?  
I’m also drawn to the serendipitous timing of this book, the perfect story especially since now that we are under stay-at-home orders, kids like Sam don’t really have to wonder what their Dudleys do all day at all. Do I see a compare and contrast pictograph in there somewhere?

From Edwards Book Club, Christa McGrath
Dudley’s Day at Home is a children’s picture book that follows the story of a young boy and his mom who go out for the day while Dudley, the dog, stays home.  The curious boy asks his mom all kinds of questions relating to Dudley as he wonders what his dog is doing while he is home alone. His mom responds that Dudley has all kinds of things to keep him busy–like eating, playing, and napping. Then the young boy asks if Dudley wonders what they are doing and a series of funny illustrations follow that show what a dog may envision his owners doing (like howling at the moon or digging up bones!). Kids will love this part of the story.
This book is a wonderful and visually appealing story for young children between 3 and 7 years of age. It is small on words and big on pictures. It is colourful, creative, and full of adventure; with a really sweet ending that highlights the relationship between a child and a dog.

From Jean Little Library, Jennifer Wharton
Small publisher Flashlight Press always has something goofy to delight readers and this classic “what happens when we’re not at home” scenario gets my full approval.
Sam and his mom, both with tan skin and dark, curly hair, are leaving the house and Sam wonders what Dudley, their white terrier-mix dog does all day when they’re not at home? As Sam and his mom go grocery shopping, she lists the things that Dudley does at home – eats, guards the house, and “does his business” out in the yard. But Sam’s got a whole different picture of these activities, and it spreads across the page in hilarious detail, from Dudley in business suit with a crowded desk in the yard to elaborate games with the cat.
On their way home, Sam continues to wonder, “Mom, do you think Dudley wonders what WE do all day?” and the scenes shift to Dudley, settled at the table with newspaper and coffee, imagining Sam and his mom chasing squirrels, stretching on the carpet, and howling at the moon. In a sweet and goofy scene, Sam and Dudley are reunited and while his mom looks a little surprised at the leftovers from Dudley’s day, like board games on the carpet – boy and dog are happy to be back together again.
Bright, cheerful cartoons contrast Sam and Dudley’s days, in reality and imagination, and offer plenty of scope for extension activities. This makes a delightful storytime read, but teachers and parents will also find it a great choice for a writing or drawing prompt.
Verdict: A light and fun story, perfect for library and classroom use. Recommended for all library collections.

From Babies to Bookworms, Vicki Wilkinson
In this adorable book, a young boy named Sam asks his mother what their dog Dudley does at home all day. As they go about their daily errands, they imagine all the fun that he is probably having on his own. While their conversation is fairly ordinary, listing things like napping and playing, the illustrations take their words one step further. They show Dudley the dog doing all kinds of crazy and fun things, which will certainly have kids laughing out loud. The end of the book has a funny twist, and a sweet ending. Kids and parents alike will appreciate the humor and imagination in this book, and it may get them thinking about what their own dogs do at home.

From Children’s Lit Love
If you have a dog, you’ve probably often looked at said dog and wondered what on earth he was thinking, or questioned what she does when you leave her in your house all day. I know we frequently try to figure our own dog out! So, today, I’m delighted to bring all of you pet lovers (and those of you who just like funny stories) Dudley’s Day at Home, by Karen Kaufman Orloff, illustrated by Renée Andriani.
Meet Sam, curious kid, son to Mom, and owner of Dudley, the exuberant dog. As they are leaving the house one day, Sam asks his mom, “What does Dudley do all day when we go out?” Ah yes, the eternal question of families with pets… What on earth do they do when we’re not around? Do they really just sleep on their pillows all day? How do they play and keep themselves entertained if we’re not around?
As Mom gives Sam standards answers of eat, play, and sleep, we see Sam’s interpretation of these answers… We see visions of Dudley making pancakes, playing checkers, and curling up in a proper bed for a nap. Our favorite page is when Mom reminds Sam that Dudley probably needs to go out into the yard to “do his business,” a common phrase for dog owners… But Sam’s vision of Dudley’s business is quite different!
But… as you read more of the book and you get to the page where Sam and Mom return home, astute readers may start to wonder if these illustrations reflect Sam’s understanding of eat, play, sleep, and business, or if these are actually what Dudley does all day! Because Dudley’s daydreams of what humans do when dogs aren’t around are interrupted by the humans arriving home… Which also interrupts Dudley’s clean-up time from all of the fun he had while they were out!
Not only entertaining but a terrific book for conversations about perspective and personal experiences, this one is bound to make the whole family giggle… and, of course, wonder what exactly their pets DO do all day!

From The Picture Book Pages blog
Dudley’s Not Your Average Dog
A boy and his mother head out of the house to run some errands, leaving the family dog, Dudley, at home. The boy, named Sam, wonders what Dudley gets up to when he’s home alone. His mother proceeds to list off all the usual things a dog might do to like eating, playing, and napping. While these seem like pretty usual activities, Dudley is a highly unusual dog; at least in the imagination of his young owner. Sam envisions his four-legged pal flipping pancakes in the kitchen, playing video games on the couch, and practising his magic tricks in the living room.

Hilarious Tale Will Leave You Howling
Karen Kaufman Orloff’s story is very funny and unique and guaranteed to have you and your kids howling. Sam’s literal interpretations of his dog’s antics are just so silly and cute.
When Sam’s mother says Dudley is guarding the house, he imagines his dog dressed up in a police uniform, on patrol duty at the front door and when she says Dudley goes outside to do his business in the yard, Sam imagines his dog working away at a desk with stacks of papers scattered all around. Children will love laughing at all of the silly scenarios Sam thinks up with his active imagination.

Fetching Digital Paintings
The digital paintings done by illustrator Renee Andriani are absolutely perfect for this fetching tale. Colourful and creative, the images are filled with just the right amount of detail to capture imaginations and keep children engaged throughout the story.
The way Andriani uses the green circles to show a separate location, for example Sam and his mother out shopping, is a fantastic way to illustrate two things happening simultaneously.
Another great detail is the addition of the cat, Buttercup. She’s seen on each page peeking through bushes or sneaking in the window. Children will enjoy re-reading the story to spot Dudley’s furry little accomplice.

Final Thoughts
Cute, clever, and funny, ‘Dudley’s Day At Home’ is a book your kids will be retrieving from the bookshelf and begging to read again and again. Sam and his dog, Dudley, are sure to leave a puppy-sized paw print on the hearts and imaginations of canine-loving children everywhere.

From Meg Hall, Instagram influencer @get.outside.and.read
Have you ever wondered what your dog does when you leave the house? Full of whimsical photos and play on words, this book is so cute and fun for kids!

From Grandma Ideas blog
My grandkids got a special kick out of Dudley’s Day at Home by Karen Kaufman Orloff when we read it together.
The book is about a boy named Sam and his dog, Dudley. As he and his mother leave their home, Sam wonders what Dudley does while Dudley is home all alone. The mother explains the ordinary things that Dudley does. But in his mind, Sam imagines scenes that are anything BUT ordinary!
Mom says Dudley probably enjoys playing with the cat next door. Or he eating, sleeping, and guarding the house. Dudley also does ‘his business’ outside. (My grandkids thought that picture was a hoot considering what it means when a dog does his business!) But most important, Sam wonders if Dudley thought about Sam while Sam was away.
This is a delightful picture book because of the wonderful illustrations. They show Dudley doing things that a child would do instead of what a dog does. That irony is what makes the book so appealing. Kids will chuckle over the humor. That humor makes the book appealing to parents, too. Parents definitely won’t mind reading this book over and over to their kids. (In my humble opinion, if a parent doesn’t like the book, she won’t read it to the kids — and what’s the use of having a book if it’s not read?) Even big sisters (like my granddaughter) enjoy reading to younger siblings.) And my grandson liked ‘reading’ all by himself!
I definitely give this book two thumbs up!

From Eric Herrington, teacher and children’s picture book writer
Perfect example of how illustrations complement and add story for a magical combination.

From Vanesa Josevski, children’s book author 
Ever wondered what your doggy or paw friend gets up to while you’re out and about?
In Dudley’s Day at Home, little Sam asks that very question, and let’s just say his imagination runs wild!
While Mum thinks Dudley just naps and snacks all day, he’s really off on big adventures with his mate Buttercup the cat, chasing, playing, and maybe causing a little cheeky chaos too.
This story’s full of imagination, funny illustrations, bringing Dudley’s wild day to life.
Perfect for any little reader who adores animals or wonders what happens when they’re not around.

About the Creators

Karen Kaufman Orloff is the author of award-winning books for children, including the “I Wanna” series (I Wanna Iguana, I Wanna New Room, I Wanna Go Home). Karen lives in New York’s Hudson Valley with her husband and family. Dudley’s Day At Home is her 12th picture book.
 
You can find out more about Karen and her work on her website. 
 

A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Renée Andriani creates a range of illustration work for greeting cards and children’s books. She loves doing school visits and presentations, working with all grade levels, to share what illustrators do and how books are created. She lives in the Kansas City area.
You can find out more about Renee and her work on her website.

ISBN: HC 9781947277267 ePDF 9781947277274  EPUB 9781947277281  KF8 9781947277298  Audiobook 9781962269186  Read-along Audio 9781962269193
Print Length: 32 Full Color Pages
Publication Date: May 2020 
Age Group: 4-8
Library of Congress Control Number: 2019955938
Themes: Humor, Imagination

• Dudley Maze
• Dudley’s Day at Home Word Search

Leveling Information

Lexile Measurements provided by Metametrics. Guided Reading Levels provided by Marla Conn using Fountas and Pinnel Guided Reading Text Characteristics.

Lexile Display: AD480L

Word Count: 175

MSL: 6.481

MLF: 3.577

Decoding Display: Low

Semantic Display: High

Syntactic Display: High

Structure Display: High

Guided Reading Level: H

Grade Level Equivalent: 1

Interest Level by Grade: Pre-K-4

Educational Description: Picture book, realistic fiction, ask and answer questions

Story Elements: setting: home, plot and character development, main character: Dudley the Dog & Sam, humorous tone, illustrations enhance meaning and tone, figurative language; literal and non- literal meanings

Comprehension Strategies: identify cause and effect relationships, point of view; dogs, humans, compare and contrast dogs vs humans

Themes: What dogs do all day, creative imagination, love of a pet