articlesforchristians

“The Story of Doctor Dolittle” by Hugh Lofting is a children’s novel published in 1920. When a kindly physician learns to speak with animals, he abandons his failing medical practice to become a veterinarian. His new calling leads him on an extraordinary voyage to Africa to cure a monkey epidemic. Along the way, he faces shipwrecks, imprisonment, pirates, and exotic creatures—including the rare pushmi-pullyu. This tale of adventure and animal communication became the first in a beloved series, though it has sparked controversy for its colonial-era themes.

Warning to Parents: Chapters 11 and 12 of the original Dr. Dolittle contain objectionable content. These chapters were modernized by Under the Home, but the Gutenberg link on the textbook page leads to an original copy of Dr. Dolittle with the objectionable content.

Vocabulary words can be found here.

CHAPTERS

VI Polynesia and the King
VII The Bridge of Apes
VIII The Leader of the Lions
IX The Monkeys’ Council
X The Rarest Animal of All
XI The Black Prince
XII Medicine and Magic
XIII Red Sails and Blue Wings
XIV The Rats’ Warning
XV The Barbary Dragon
XVI Too-Too, the Listener
XVII The Ocean Gossips
XVIII Smells
XIX The Rock
XX The Fisherman’s Town
XXI Home Again