Story of Doctor Dolittle (Dramatic Reading)

Written by Hugh Lofting

Narrated by LibriVox Community

John Dolittle, M. D., was once a famous doctor. But then he learned to talk Animal-Language, picked up several interesting pets, and gradually began to lose his patients. Finally the only patient who remains, the Cat's-Meat-Man, makes a suggestion - why doesn't he give up treating people and become an animal doctor?

And so Dr. Dolittle becomes an animal doctor, and life seems to be going well. But with the addition of an escaped crocodile to his store of pets, even the animals stop coming to see him. What to do?

Children of all ages - and adults too - will enjoy the story of the good Doctor and his animals as he travels to Africa and back, braves shipwrecks and pirates, escapes from prison, and tries to reunite a little boy with his kidnapped uncle, all with the help of his charming animal friends. (Summary by Rachel)

Please note that this book was written at a different time and includes attitudes which are now considered racist. Some modern editions are available with some of this changed - this recording is of the original public domain text, as it was first published in 1920.

Cast List:

Introduction read by Donald Cummings
Narrated by Adele de Pignerolles
Doctor Dolittle: Adam
Polynesia the parrot / Ben Ali the Barbary Dragon: Beth Thomas
Too-Too the owl / the Pushmi-Pullyu: Esther ben Simonides
Chee-Chee the monkey: Adele de Pignerolles
Gub-Gub the pig / Tiny Red Monkey: SuperCoconut
Dab-Dab the duck / Queen Ermintrude / Major of the Marmosettes / Pirate 1: Rachel
Jip the dog: MaryAnn
Townsperson: Vanessa Cooley
Cat's-Meat-Man: Elijah Fisher
Sarah Dolittle: Dorothy Godfrey-Smith
Horse: Willy
Porpoises / Crocodile / Swallows / Eagles: April Walters
White Mouse / Pirate 2: Mary Kay
African Man / Grand Gorilla / Mayor: Larry Wilson
The King of Jolliginki: Paul Simonin
Biggest Baboon / Big Black Rat / Shark / Fisherman: Michael C. Johnson
Leader of the Lions / Prince Bumpo / Sailor: Zames Curran
Queen Lioness: Shiloh Fuscello
Chief Chimpanzee / Little Boy: Lydia

Audio edited by Rachel

• Language: English
• Publisher: LibriVox
• Release date: Aug 25, 2014

Hugh Lofting

Hugh Lofting (1886-1947) was an English writer, soldier, and civil engineer. Born in Berkshire, England, Lofting was raised in a family with Irish and English parentage. Educated at Mount St Mary’s College, Lofting matriculated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he studied civil engineering between 1905 and 1906. After working for several years as a civil engineer, Lofting enlisted in the Irish Guards in order to fight in the Great War. Horrified by his experience in combat, Lofting wrote creative letters home to his wife and children that originated his legendary character Doctor Dolittle, a physician with the unique ability to speak with animals. Gravely wounded in France, Lofting returned home briefly before moving with his family to Connecticut. In 1920, he published The Story of Doctor Dolittle, the first in a series of fifteen novels and short story collections for children that have inspired numerous adaptations for theater, film, and television. In addition to these novels, Lofting published several other works for children—including picture books and poems—as well as Victory for the Slain (1942), a long antiwar poem and his only work written for adult readers.

Reviews for Story of Doctor Dolittle (Dramatic Reading)

[Marcos Leon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This This book was so great because like there is no person that can really talk to animals and I listen to both books and they’re just so amazing I don’t know which one is my favorite character either the dog or the or Dr. Dolittle but it was just so good and like I hope you love it too

[April Remine · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best book ever I love the little piggy Gup Gup