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The Story of Doctor Dolittle (Books of Wonder) | 
 enlarge | Authors: Hugh Lofting, Patricia & Fredrick Mckissack
Creator: Michael Hague
Publisher: HarperCollins
Category: Book
List Price: $27.99
Buy Used: $1.33
You Save: $26.66 (95%)
New (21) Used (34) Collectible (5) from $1.33
Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 367878
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Pages: 176
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 7.1 x 0.5
ISBN: 0688140017
EAN: 9780688140014
ASIN: 0688140017
Publication Date: September 26, 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy!
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Amazon.com
Doctor Dolittle--a 19th-century English physician--has never been one for worrying much. Even after his human patients desert him (when one too many sit on one of the doctor's unusual parlor pets), he manages to convert gracefully to animal medicine. Having mastered animal language along the way (with the help of his caustic yet amusing parrot, Polynesia), he has a good head start in his practice. Then, one cold, dark winter night, as the doctor and his pets sit around the fire, a message arrives, via sparrow, from Africa. A terrible epidemic has broken out among the monkeys, and Doctor Dolittle is the only one who can save them. The beneficent physician checks his money box--not a penny left. But the fate of Africa's ailing apes lays squarely on his shoulders. And so begins the delightful, whimsical adventures that are still enthralling readers three quarters of a century after their original 1920 publication. Hugh Lofting, winner of the 1923 Newbery Medal for The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, has more than a knack for storytelling. His ability to imbue in his characters--human and animal--distinct, unique personalities is remarkable, and his respect for the rights of all who share the planet shines throughout. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter
Product Description
Foreword by Patricia C. McKissack and Fredrick L. McKissack. Afterword by Peter Glassman.When a swallow arrives in Puddleby-on-the-Marsh with the news that the monkeys of Africa are ill and only the doctor who talks with animals can save them, Doctor Dolittle and such good friends as Jip, his loyal dog, and Dab-Dab, his housekeeper duck, face their greatest challenge. Together they must sail to Africa, battle a band of cutthroat pirates, flee across a gorge on a bridge made of acrobatic apes, and convince the king of the beasts that even he must help an animal in need. With nearly fifty full-page pictures from Michael Hague and the McKissacks artful reworking of the dilemma faced by Prince Bumpo, this treasured story is now available in a deluxe edition that all families will want to explore again and again.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 Just wonderful November 29, 2007
T. Littell (Seattle, WA USA)
An endearing classic. My daughter, 5 1/2 loves the illustrations - this is truly a beautiful book.
 cornwall,NY Sixth Grader March 24, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I am a sixth grader. If you like fantasy and adventure, then Doctor Dolittle is the book for you. Doctor Dolittle was a people doctor in Puddleby-on-the-Marsh. He was also an animal lover. His house was full of all different types of animals. The more animals he took in, the less people came for his help. Because he liked animals better, he decided to care for animals instead. His parrot, Polynesia, explained how animals have their own language. After spending a lot of time with Polynesia, Doctor Dolittle soon learned the languages of all the different animals.
Chee-Chee the monkey told the doctor about an illness among the monkeys in Africa. Doctor Dolittle said he would go there and care for the monkeys. There was one problem. He had no money to get there. Some of the animals and Doctor Dolittle boarded a boat for the long trip to Africa. It took them six weeks to sail there. The king didn't want them on his land so he put them all in prison. They escape from the prison. They finally find all the sick monkeys. Doctor Dolittle starts tending to them. You have to read the book to find out how this adventure ends.
Another fun part in the book is when he finds an amazing animal. It is like nothing you have ever seen before. I will not tell what is special about it because I don't want to ruin the surprise. He takes this animal around so everyone can enjoy this unusual creature.
Doctor Dolittle does eventually return home. There are many other adventures and surprises in the book. I don't want to ruin the book so you will just have to read it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure, fantasy and make believe. I wish I had the ability to talk to animals, don't you? So hurry out and get this book. You will be glad you did!!!!!!!
great illustrations November 13, 2006
G. Tofani (Sunnyvale, CA United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I select classic children's books. If there are several available, I always select the one with the best illustrations. This had the best illustrations of all the "Doctor Dolittle" books offered by Amazon.
Beautifully illustrated and revised July 16, 2005
M. M. Corbett (Florida)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful
I presume anyone reading the reviews already is familiar with the storyline of Dr. Dolittle. I highly recommend this version with only a slight reservation (see below) because its illustration and editing would make an excellent introduction to children as well as a gift possibility and a lifelong keepsake.
I heartily disagree with the reviewer who discredits this edition because it has been updated to modern civilities. The reviewer mistakenly suggests that the edition conceals that changes have been made. To the contrary, the foreword fully describes the editors' concerns for literary sensitivities as they made changes.
If your purpose is to collect unabridged books, do shop elsewhere. But if you share my intent of introducing this wonderful story to children, this book serves the purpose very well. There is minimal distraction from unnecessary anachronisms.
I think this edition would serve children well through elementary school. I would nominate unabridged editions for older children to help teach them about society's changing attitudes towards racism.
My slight reservation (mentioned above) about this edition is that racial stereotypes do persist. In Africa, the (white) doctor is referred as "the good man" while the African king is unjust, his son is goofy, and both the king and his son are easily fooled. These characterizations ARE unavoidable without drastically changing the storyline. However, the story explains the motivation for the king's injustice and is a worthy point of discussion with a young reader.
Awesome book! November 29, 2004
carolyn (Canal Winchester, OH)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I had this book as a child and since I'm an avid reader, mine is still in excellent condition and is now being read to my child. He absolutely loves this book. It's so well illustrated and very well written. The imagination that it sparks is unbelievable and quite fun. He loves all the animals and watching Dr. Dolittle go to Africa in the boat. It jus sparks so much conversation and imagination. Don't hesitate on this book - it's just wonderful.
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