Cock-A-Doodle Dudley

by Bill Peet

Gunther, a jealous and bad-tempered goose, sets out to prove that popular rooster Dudley is a phony in claiming that he causes the sun to rise every morning.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Nature, Reference, Fiction, Kids

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Bill Peet was an American children's book illustrator and a story writer for Disney Studios. He joined Disney in 1937 and worked on The Jungle Book, Song of the South, Cinderella, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, The Sword in the Stone, Goliath II, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, Pinocchio, Fantasia, The Three Caballeros, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and other stories.

After successes developing short stories for Disney, Peet had his first book published, Hubert's Hair Raising Adventure.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every morning Dudley crows the sun up and all the animals stand around praising him for such an amazing job done, all accept Gunther the goose, who is filled with jealously. Gunther tries to get the animals to turn on him and it doesn’t work. They know he doesn’t really make the sun come up. One day Gunther decides to pull his feathers out and chases Dudley into the forest. As the sun is setting it sees this and decides not to come up until his favorite rooster crows. There are some mean foxes in the woods and owls trying to eat Dudley. A rescue is mounted and the book ends with a nice conclusion.

This is another Bill Peet story where the sun has a face and it’s either happy or sad. 2nd book I have seen that. More beautiful artwork from the master and a good story too. I like that Dudley is a skinny rooster. That ol’ goose is real nasty.

The nephew thought this story was alright. He wasn’t that impressed. There was at least action and he thought those foxes looked mean. He gave this 3 stars.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Week 3:
Dudley the rooster was the best rooster around. His crows would carry for miles around, delightfully greeting his friend Sol the sun every morning. Dudley was the favorite animal of all the animals in the barnyard. All the animals thought Dudley's morning crows held magical powers that make the sun rise, except for Gunther the goose. Gunther tried to convince everyone that Dudley was a phony. Gunther chased Dudley away from the farm and into Warwick's woods. Having to spend the night in the dangerous woods, the animals team together to try and bring Dudley home.

"Cock-a-Doodle Dudley" is appropriate for ages 5+ (Grades K+).

I like this book because it sends a message to readers that negativity gets you nowhere. Dudley the rooster is valued and praised for his honesty and admittance of the lack of powers in his morning crows. Although Dudley himself thinks he has no special abilities, the animals and Sol the sun continue to believe otherwise. Like "Chester The Worldly Pig," I like this book because the animals take on human traits, bring warmth and add humor to the situation.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love these Bill Peet books and the illustrations were great in this one, though the story was a bit boring and too long (in my opinion). Dudley is a small rooster whose crow is so fantastic that Sol the sun can't wait to get up in the morning to hear it. The barnyard animals are convinced that he is magical. All of them that is except Gunther, the goose, who hates Dudley and his popularity. Gunther tries to fight Dudley on several occasions and eventually manages to run him off the farm into the dark scary woods. Dudley can't escape the forest as it gets dark because of the owls, but he is saved by Hector the horse after Sol the sun wouldn't rise because Dudley hadn't crowed. He crows and the sun rises and everyone thinks he has saved the day again. Recommended for ages 5-9, 3 stars.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the greatest of Bill Peet stories, but still wonderful and enjoyable. Dudley the rooster's crows are so beautiful and fantastic that his friend, Sol the Sun, gets up every morning with a smile. This leads many of the animals to think Dudley's crows are magic. One bad-tempered goose, however, does not, and decides that he is out to get Dudley. When one of his attempts sends Dudley off into the woods after dark, Sol decides he won't get up unless he hears Dudley crow tomorrow morning. Now the animals have to find Dudley before something else finds him first!

A lot of fun, great illustrations as always.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haha, don't try to make this one rhyme, it won't work. I kept trying with the first few sentences and realized it just wasn't going to happen. So yes, Peet deviated from his norm but the story is Peet through and through.

Ages: 4 - 8

Cleanliness: Doggone and nincompoop are used.

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!

Visit my website!

[Luann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another new Bill Peet in my library. I don't think I had read this one before. Very fun! Of course the illustrations of the barnyard animals are the best! Does anyone draw better animals than Bill Peet?

Dudley is an extraordinary rooster who crows louder and longer than any rooster for miles around. The goose is jealous of Dudley's popularity around the barnyard and decides to peck him to a frazzle the first chance he gets. The goose takes his chance, but things don't work out quite like he expected.

[Magila · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Pete's picture books are like picture novels. Of all the books I have read of his, this is right at the top.

The story of the witch was good, as was the story of the trolls. I like witches and trolls. The story of the sea monster was AWESOME. And then there is this lowly story of a rooster. This awesome lowly story of a rooster.

It's not quite at the tippy top of my picture book list. I must admit though, there is a great message about persevering and against bullying.

Recommend.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dudley was a scraggly,little rooster.He was thought to be magic by the other farm animals, for his ability to bring the sun up every morning.Everyone loved him except the mean and jealous goose that was always trying to tear him down. His friends stood by Dudley and in the end the sun does rise because of him.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, Dudley is such a lovable and cute little rooster. Did you know he is the reason the sun comes up every morning? Longer text=experienced listeners (maybe kindergarten and up unless your preschoolers have listened to lots of stories)

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dudley the rooster crows the sun rise each morning, and all the farm animals , with the exception of one thinks it's magical. Jealous of Dudley, Gunther a grumpy bully of a goose sets out to peck Dudley to pieces. This threat by Gunther leads to drama on the farm, and the lack of sunshine.

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story with a moral. Very cute pictures and a fun read!

[Tessa McKnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another children's book, but this one is a great read too! The kids LOVE it!

[Elevetha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the colorful illustrations in this one!

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Love Bill Peet's books except this stinker. Just doesn't do anything for me.

[Danette · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the library.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill Peet is one of my all time favorite authors! Love all of his books!

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

So yeah we’re gifting away a lot of picture books we’ve collected and unfortunately haven’t had much use. So I’m working my way through a whole bunch before we share the joy with others.

Good ol’ Bill Peet in typical form. A nice fable of sorts with surprising bit of magic thrown in. Dudley’s crowing has very special meaning.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A too long time favourite in our family. I finally got a copy to read with my children. Dudley is a scrawny little rooster who doesn’t believe he’s very special, until his friend the sun, Sol refuses to rise when he doesn’t crow one morning.

[Child960801 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a rooster who looks to crow and is very popular with all the barn animals, except for a goose who is jealous of him and so makes his life very hard. One day, the goose chases him into the woods and so the sun doesn't come up because the rooster can't crow the next morning.

[Enos]

love this book

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is cute and imaginative, but parents should know that it includes scenes of peril with predatory animals that young or sensitive children may find distressing.

[B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill Peet forever!

Everything about Bill Peet's work is awesome - stories, art, etc.

[KhiN’Millie Friesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"He was brave for telling the truth. But I don't know why did the sun not come up?" - Khi (3)

[Maki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about jealousy and being happy with yourself.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill Peet (3) - This book could be used to teach that everyone plays a part in making the classroom work. There shouldn't be any bullying. Everyone has something that they do best!

[Seashell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Q said that if she could she would rate this book a 10!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book I have read so many times. I also know it's probably my mom's favorite Bill Peet book.

[Terryann Saint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all his work.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok. Love that it rhymes....not the greatest story.