I have read and seen versions of The Story of Doctor DoLittle, but never before the original by Hugh Lofting published in 1920. The original is extremely and blatantly racist, with a story about an African prince who will do anything if the doctor can only make him white. My understanding is that later editions (I am not sure how much later) have thankfully completely written out that subplot and altered other text and illustrations to remove racial elements and render this story into its current view as an innocent children's story. For me, I don't think I can unsee the image of Prince Bumpo, his quest to be acceptable to his Sleeping Beauty princess, and of Dr. Dolittle's cruel use of of Prince Bumpo.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2020/02/the-story-of-doctor-dolittle.html
Delightfully fun book to read with the children. Listed as a Sonlight read aloud.
FANTASTIC!! you will not regret reading this book, and will want to collect all of them in the series! my son could not put it down.
An abridged version of the 1920s classic children's book. This book didn't need abridgement but this version (pub. in 1997)will be welcomed by slower readers and those too impatient to read the complete version.
Read by Martin Short, who does a marvelous job with it! 3 hrs. on 2 cassettes. My kids loved it.
