SYNOPSIS

A small-town doctor enjoys caring for animal patients more than human ones, learns to speak their language, and gets famous among them.

When he hears that a deadly disease has befallen monkeys in Africa, Dr. Dolittle and a group of animals (a parrot, a pig, a dog, a crocodile, a duck, a monkey, an owl, and a stowaway mouse) decide to travel and help.

With food and a boat donated by friends, the fearless crew make a long journey to the coast of Africa.

Even though an unfriendly king throws the team in prison for trespassing his lands – twice! – they escape and save the lives of countless monkeys.

In gratitude, the African animals gift Dr. Dolittle a mysterious animal – a pushmepullyou – to take back to England.

On their way home, the crew outsmarts a gang of pirates and steals their ship where they find an abducted boy and later rescue his uncle.

Safely home, with money earned by demonstrations of the pushmepullyou around England, Dr. Dolittle and his menagerie live happily ever after.

PERFECT AGE 7 – 10

We love

• Great to finally discover (language barrier resolved) that animals are creative, thoughtful and caring, smart, sensitive and funny! Just as we suspected…
• The story teaches many relatable values – kindness is more important than money; pirating should be uprooted; everyone has unique talents…

WATCH OUT FOR (Language, Big / Sensitive Topics, Outdated Concepts):

• The original and early editions of the book included derogatory references and illustrations of people of African descent. In 1988, Hugh Lofting’s family removed the offensive representations and reissued the book. Editions post 1988 most likely reflect the revisions but do check your copy and address, as necessary.
• Not sure how we feel about trapping wild animals and trotting them out at fair after fair for money… but the pushmepullyou speaks so I guess consent was acquired??

CONVERSATION STARTERS

• Dr. Dolittle lost his human patients because they were scared of the crocodile. Could Dr. Dolittle have solved the problem in a way that made both humans and crocodile happy?
• Do you know anyone who cares about animals as much as Dr. Dolittle does? What makes that person special in your eyes?
• How does Polynesia the parrot manage to trick the king’s guards and then the prince, in order to rescue the crew from prison?
• What do you think about Dr. Dolittle taking a boat from Prince Bumpo and then again, from the pirates? Was it the right thing to do – why or why not?
• Gub-Gub the pig is unkind to Jip the dog when he calls him a fake. How does Jip respond and prove Gub-Gub wrong? Do you like that response?