The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle

Written by Hugh Lofting and Kathleen Olmstead

Narrated by Rebecca K. Reynolds

Doctor Dolittle is a very special vet—because he knows how to talk to the animals!  So when he hears that there’s a terrible sickness hurting all the monkeys in Africa, the good doctor knows he must go and help them. Soon he’s off on an exciting adventure across the seas in this superb retelling of Hugh Lofting’s beloved classic.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oasis Audio
• Release date: Sep 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781645550501

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 The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle

[Dallis Oz · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I was disappointed to hear the change in wording regarding the prince to include CRT. Originally the African prince cares nothing about his physical and monetary "differences" with fairytale princes, he just dreams of adventure and excitement. But of course in our modern world the seeds of modern ideas must be sown in our children's minds even through such harmless stories as Dr. Dolittle. Obviously not even the audiobook classics are a safe choice for parents concerned with these ideals. My advice, find book versions printed before 2019. That's how I found out this little tidbit was obviously altered to fit the current narrative.

[Karen Coates · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My favorite of these shortened versions for kids! Kudos go to the person who edited this down to an entertaining tale with no noticeable breaks.

And second, my biggest round of applause goes to its narrator, Rebecca K. Reynolds, who had her hands full portraying all of those animals as well as the humans. She was believable and hilarious at the same time!

I'm 64 years old, but somehow I've managed not to learn much about DD, other than seeing a bit of the Rex Harrison film. As a former musical theater teacher, I was both delighted and puzzled by that film’s long tangent into the Anthony Newley character and his girlfriend, whose name I don't recall. Maybe they're found in the other Doolittle stories not told here, but I was so glad they weren't here! This retelling was brief and entertaining on its own. I looked up DD in the Scribd search and found many stories there. Who knows how many were adapted and put in here. So I guess I have more to read...

I also *loved* the tiny but mighty moral truths scattered throughout the story. (For instance, did you know that all animals only tell the truth?) And the good doctor’s behavior and actions set an outstanding example for each of us to live by. They're all explained by our narrator, so while we read/listen, we learn why he makes his ethical choices.

Highly recommended for parents and kids, or for adults who need a little laugh.

[감유리 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book because it was so interesting and I liked the words that they used.