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cdhotwing's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bookworm2828's review against another edition
2.0
I loved this story when I read it as a kid, but reading it again so many years later left a sour taste in my mouth. It contains way too much casual racism and imperialism for my taste, especially given our current understanding of South American and African cultures before the white people came and "saved" them.
Beyond that, the animals are always enjoyable and I do so love the idea that Doctor Dolittle not only speaks their languages, but that he writes books in their languages too.
Beyond that, the animals are always enjoyable and I do so love the idea that Doctor Dolittle not only speaks their languages, but that he writes books in their languages too.
roseleaf24's review against another edition
4.0
Medal Winner 1923
Fun and interesting read, though I would have liked to see more of Dr. Dolittle working with animals and less of his ethnocentric dealing with South American natives. The short chapters and entertaining narrative and subject matter would make this a great read aloud.
Fun and interesting read, though I would have liked to see more of Dr. Dolittle working with animals and less of his ethnocentric dealing with South American natives. The short chapters and entertaining narrative and subject matter would make this a great read aloud.
mrsbrharris's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this book was super cute. Definitely going to recommend it to my kids when they're older.
kitsuneheart's review against another edition
1.0
So, I find that the new editions of the book take care to remove the racial epithets from this book and others in the series. Good on the publishers, but...it's still got some really, really disgusting stereotypes. I listened to the version on Librivox, which is the original text, and I'm wondering how much they had to remove, because it must have been a LOT. For example, Doctor Dolittle is made King of an island where the native peoples were so behind in development that they didn't have...fire. Like, a major plot point is a chief dies from cold, because they just had never figured out fire. Among many other problems. So here comes Dolittle, the great white leader, to change things.
It's just...very troubling and I would never allow one of my kids to read these books. I mean, damn, as a librarian, this book is actually difficult for me to defend, just because it demeans humans so casually, simple because they aren't white.
Once again, I am so confused as to what they had to do to get Eddie Murphey to agree to star in a movie based on these books.
Basically, not recommended for anyone. You want talking animals, there's plenty out there that lack the racism.
It's just...very troubling and I would never allow one of my kids to read these books. I mean, damn, as a librarian, this book is actually difficult for me to defend, just because it demeans humans so casually, simple because they aren't white.
Once again, I am so confused as to what they had to do to get Eddie Murphey to agree to star in a movie based on these books.
Basically, not recommended for anyone. You want talking animals, there's plenty out there that lack the racism.
tlctbr's review against another edition
4.0
I first read this book as a third grader and (together with James Herriot books, the 21 Balloons and a huge list of talking animal books) I credit it for helping me discover a love of animals, discovery and ultimately, science. Tonight, after several months of picking it up and putting it down, O and I finally finished it! I don't know if it had the same impact on him as it did on me as a kid, but I do know that he enjoyed it and was fascinated by the Dr and his friends. He says he can't wait to read more from the series.
hoboken's review against another edition
5.0
This won the first Newbery medal, and you can see why. Humane, complex, vivid, exciting. I've loved this book all my life.
lgpiper's review
5.0
Dr. Doolittle is still awesome. I remembered quite a bit of the first Dr. Doolittle book from having read it before. I didn't really remember much of this one at all. I enjoyed it thoroughly, but it was more like reading it for the first time.
Lofting is a supreme story teller, with a great gift for humorous detail. Yes, it's true that there are some racist bits in the book. That's a reflection of the times. Should we protect our children from our past, by denying them books like this? In a few years I'll have to decide about this issue, once my grandson is old enough for me to read Dr. Doolittle books to him. My guess is I'll read the books and stop from time to time to explain some of the incorrect characterizations.
Lofting is a supreme story teller, with a great gift for humorous detail. Yes, it's true that there are some racist bits in the book. That's a reflection of the times. Should we protect our children from our past, by denying them books like this? In a few years I'll have to decide about this issue, once my grandson is old enough for me to read Dr. Doolittle books to him. My guess is I'll read the books and stop from time to time to explain some of the incorrect characterizations.
bookhoarding's review against another edition
4.0
Parents: Buy this for your kids and read it to them. Just do it.
sqeeker's review against another edition
3.0
- This was my first Newberry Award Winner this year! Woo!
- I really liked that the story was told from a little boy's perspective. I loved Tommy's fascination with everything going on around him.
- The book was fun, but it was very dry. It held my interest, but you can tell it is an older book.
- I liked all the different people and animals we meet throughout the story.
- I really like Doctor Dolittle. He is very kind and generous to everyone he meets. His courtesy extends to animals and humans no matter size, shape, color, etc.
- I won't be continuing with the series, but I'm glad I read the first two books.
- I really liked that the story was told from a little boy's perspective. I loved Tommy's fascination with everything going on around him.
- The book was fun, but it was very dry. It held my interest, but you can tell it is an older book.
- I liked all the different people and animals we meet throughout the story.
- I really like Doctor Dolittle. He is very kind and generous to everyone he meets. His courtesy extends to animals and humans no matter size, shape, color, etc.
- I won't be continuing with the series, but I'm glad I read the first two books.