Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
This is just a great fun book. I listened to it a work and I just want to be the doctor
Do NOT read the original! It is full of offensive colonial themes. We read an updated revised version, but I would recommend you skip this one entirely and read The Voyages of Doctor Doolittle (a revised version). It is the better book by far (and the one the original musical is based on).
I can see why it appealed to people back in the day, but this aged like milk.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As a child I saw the old 1967 movie (with Rex Harrison) and I remember being fascinated with story. And indeed the basic premise is very charming! However I was quite disappointed with this book and I’m relieved that I read it before my kids. There was some strong racist aspects to it. When Doctor Doolittle goes adventuring in Africa the native people are portrayed as cartoonish and villainous. Also a African prince wishes to have his skin bleached because he felt that would he would have a better chance of winning the hand of the woman he admired if he was a white prince. It really was very sad for such a cute story to be utterly ruined by such disturbing underlining themes and messages. This is indeed one of the rare cases that the movies are better then the book!
This was one of my favorite book series when I was a kid and I was happy to find that it holds up very well. The Doctor and his animals are just adorable.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An excellent children's book! Full of adventure and kindness. A definite must read for kids of all ages!
Nice adventure-story with an interesting anti-colonial sub-text that I did not expect in a children's book. Really enjoyed it.
A charming classic. The Librivox recording includes the original racially insensitive storyline. I prefer the version edited in the 1970s.