Doctor Dolittle has been beloved by children for more a century and will soon come to life again in the new movie, The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle. The famous doctor who can speak to animals first appeared in Hugh Lofting’s letters to his children during World War I and then later commercially in The Story of Doctor Dolittle, the first book in Lofting’s popular children’s book series. Written and illustrated by Lofting himself, The Story of Doctor Dolittle follows John Dolittle and his misadventures with a crew of animals that he befriends. After learning he can speak to animals and he transitions from human medicine to veterinary practice, he loses most of his income and human patients. However, word in the animal kingdom spreads of this doctor with an extraordinary gift. Animals travel from far and wide to visit the doctor’s practice and receive treatment for their ailments. After losing the majority of his wealth, the doctor receives word that an epidemic among monkeys is spreading throughout Africa and makes the voyage to confront the plague-ridden continent. Upon being shipwrecked with his animal crew, a slew of tribulations and adventures ensue in a classic story that has captivated readers young and old for nearly a century.
Any child who is not given the opportunity to make the acquaintance of this rotund, kindly and enthusiastic doctor and all his animal friends will miss out on something important -- Jane Goodall (world expert on chimpanzees) There are few kindlier heroes in children's literature. And none to match his gift for understanding animals -- Blake Morrison - Guardian
A work of genius...a treat for us all -- Nina Bawden - Evening Standard
Author
About Hugh Lofting
Hugh Lofting was born in Maidenhead in 1886. As a child he kept a miniature zoo and wildlife museum in his mother's linen cupboard and enjoyed making up stories for his family. He later studied engineering in London and the United States, and visited Canada, Africa and the West Indies. After his marriage in 1912 he settled in the United States. Hugh Lofting fought in the trenches during World War I and it was whilst observing the lack of compassion shown to the horses on the battlefields that the idea for Doctor Dolittle was born. He was the main character in letters Hugh sent home from the front to entertain his children. The successful publication of The Story of Doctor Dolittle in 1920 was followed by a further eleven books. In 1923 Hugh Lofting was awarded the Newbery Medal. He died in 1947.
