The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting was given the Newberry Award in 1923. In fact, The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle was the second book to receive this prestigious award.
This story is told through the eyes and experiences of a young boy. This young boy, Tommy Stubbins, sought out Dr. Dolittle because of a squirrel who was dropped by a hawk. Tommy found the wounded squirrel and wanted to mend him back to health but didn't know how. Through word of mouth, Tommy discovered that Dr. Dolittle knew how to communicate with the animals and if anyone could help the squirrel, it would be him.
Through time, Tommy endeared himself to Dr. Dolittle and became his assistant. Tommy spent so much time over at Doctor Dolittle's house that his mother became concerned that he was a nuisance to the Doctor. Tommy has become a valuable member of the doctor's office and has begun to understand the languages of the animals. His tutor, Polynesia the parrot, was patient and kind as Tommy began to learn to understand and communicate to the animals. Tommy was worried that his mother would stop him from seeing the doctor and all of the animals because of the amount of time and food he was eating. Fearing he would be unable to see the doctor nor the animals any more, Tommy devised a plan. He proposed to become the doctor's assistant and instead of pay would take room, board, and meals as payment. Reluctantly, Tommy's mother and father agreed to this arrangement. They saw it as an opportunity that could not be passed up. It would ensure a future for their son.
Soon the doctor decided he needed to go on another adventure. He purchased a sailboat, had it filled with food and supplies, and collected his needed crew. As they took off, the doctor as well as the members of his crew (i.e. Tommy, Bumpo, Polynesia, and various other animals) discovered several stowaways. Shortly after the discovery, the stowaways were dropped off at the nearest port and provided provisions (i.e. lodging, food, and simple directions for their return to Puddelby, their home town. The Doctor, Bumpo, and Tommy stayed in the town for a few days and enjoyed the hospitality of the town's people. In this town, the people enjoyed to watch and participate in bull fights. Dr. Dolittle did not share their love and enjoyment of bull fighting so he challenged the best matador to a competition. The one who tames the bulls wins. To my delight, Dr. Dolittle won and bull fighting was to stop forever in the small town and in surrounding areas. The town's people were not happy and became angry. They chased them all the way back to their boat. Fortunately, no one got them and they continued on their adventure. As they sail on the sea an enormous storm comes about. The ship is destroyed and he crew floats on top of pieces of the ship out in the middle of the sea. Doctor Dolittle talks with the porpoises and they push them to an island. This happens to be the island where Long Arrow, the son of Golden Arrow, lives. The doctor and his crew meet the native Indians who are not friendly. The search begins for Long Arrow. After Doctor Dolittle and his crew save Long Arrow and his companions from a cave they quickly begin communicating with one another through the language of eagles.
With the help of the animals (air, land and water), Doctor Dolittle unites the two tribes on the island as well as saves the lives of all living things on the island. The tribes unite and request that the Doctor become their king. Reluctantly, he becomes their king and lives on the island for two whole years teaching them all he knows. Then one day Doctor Dolittle finally meets the Great Snail. After some time together, the Great Snail agrees to take Doctor Dolittle and his crew back to England along the ocean floor. The trip takes 5-5 1/2 days. The whole trip back, the Doctor did what naturalists naturally do, they took copious notes on all they saw. The Great Snail dropped them off at the mouth of the Puddleby River in England. Once they were out, it was four in the afternoon, foggy, and time for tea.
There is something about reading a story that was written years ago. It is even more special to read the story from a book that was published from that time. As my eyes raced across each page as I journeyed with Doctor Dolittle and his apprentice, Tommy, I couldn't help but think about the many other sets of eyes that read those same pages. The book is old and frail, yet, the story was rich and alive. It is a shame that my image of Doctor Dolittle was tainted by the movies that share his name. This book is 10x's better than any movie Hollywood could produce. As I read the pages I could actually see Doctor Dolittle talking to the animals, not in English (or Spanish, or French, or Vietnamese), but in the animals language. Can people really talk to the animals? I know many people have claimed to do such a thing but wouldn't it be a different world if we could talk with the animals. What would come from their lips? On second thought, I'm glad animals can't talk, too many skeletons in my closet.
AR Quiz: 90%
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