What story do children know better than that of the famous John Dolittle? I am not talking about the movie character played by Eddie Murphy. I am speaking of the original storybook character created by Hugh Lofting. The 1923 winner of the Newbery Medal is none other than Lofting’s “The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle.”
I had never read any of Lofting’s books about Doctor Dolittle when I was younger. I only knew that he was a fictional character who could talk to animals. I knew of the 1967 film which starred Rex Harrison as the title character and that there was a song about talking to the animals. Then, of course, came the 1998 version with Eddie Murphy and that was the extent of my knowledge of the famous Doctor Dolittle.
I am so thrilled to have read this book. It is a story of so much more than a man who can speak to animals. It is the story of a boy and how he came to be friends with this amazing doctor who happens to have a talent for learning the languages of different animals. It begins when young Tommy Stubbins finds an injured squirrel and asks some people around town who may be able to help. When he is told about Doctor John Dolittle, Tommy goes in search of the famed man. A while later, he hears that the doctor is returning and happens to literally run into him. Once Tommy meets the doctor, they become instant friends.
The rest of the story tells about how Tommy — or Stubbins, as the doctor affectionately calls him — goes on to live with John Dolittle as his assistant. In exchange, the doctor agrees to teach Tommy how to read and write. They go on a voyage across the sea to find the great Indian Long Arrow, son of Golden Arrow. Along with a man named Bumpo, an exotic bird named Polynesia, and the doctor’s faithful dog Jip, they set on to find Long Arrow and to find the secret language of shellfish which is apparently quite difficult. They come across many troubles along the way, as well as many surprises.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, although I wish I had read it when I was younger. This is definitely a book that brings out a child’s imagination. The descriptive language and few drawings help the reader to picture just what Lofting wrote. I am curious now to see the 1967 film to see just how true it is to the original books. I may just have to rent it next weekend.
*No Newbery Honor Books were recorded for 1923.