Own.

We finished The Story of Doctor Dolittle this evening. It was a pleasant read aloud and we enjoyed the story. Don't know whether we'd read others in the series, or just let the children read them on their own.

The story was of Dr. John Dolittle and his being taught to speak to the animals, caring for them, and adventuring with them.

We didn't talk much about the themes dealing with money, although we did talk a bit about being content with enough as it was expressed in the end.

I picked this book up on audio for us to listen to as we drove about visiting people during the holidays. I have a vague memory of enjoying the 1967 film adapation staring Rex Harrison as Dr. Dolittle.

My initial impulse was to give the book one star. Unlike some other editions, this one was NOT altered from the original. The book definitely conveyed some attitudes about skin color that I would have not have knowingly chosen for my son to hear. And while it didn't use the "N word" it did use terms like "darky", "blacky" and "coon". After the book was over we talked about the problems with the racial attitudes but fortunately my son seems to have been so taken with the rest of the story that he didn't take note of those parts... even as my husband and I were looking at each other in horror trying to decide if we should turn off the audio book. If we read any more books in this series, i'll be looking for redacted versions.

My son quite liked the book and would like to listen to it again. His laughter and delight earned the book an extra star.

I suppose I am tainted by one of my favorite movies, so it was difficult to hear something so different.

Some children's books are thoroughly entertaining for anyone. This one seemed like it would be much more enjoyable shared with my children. Quick read...plenty of adventure...imaginative.

Short review: a classic children's books that works fairly well to modern ears. Unlike many of the movies or tv adaptations, Dr Dolittle speaks animal language because he learned it (not because of some magical or strange power.) The story is set in the 1820s (published in 1920). It shows some of its age in racist and colonialist mindset about Africa, but other than that it works pretty well. Because it is public domain there are a few editions that have edited the most offending portions out. Overall not a bad children's book.

The full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/the-story-of-doctor-dolittle-by-hugh-lofting/

Love the old-fashioned storytelling and unexpected solutions to problems that seem impossible.