Customer Reviews

Doctor Dolittle's Post Office

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

this isn't the best doctor dolittle book, but it's a fun read. the book takes place in africa and concentrates on birds. there are several new characters including speedy the swallow and quip, and dab-dab has a slightly bigger role than usual (and cheapside also to some extent). this book features the first appearance of mud-face the turtle and the secret lake, and there's a nice section where each of the main characters tells a story. the beginning is a little slow and some of the scenes seem a bit familiar, but in general it's good fun.

Well, of course, today we live in a world of e-mail, instant text messages, and faxes. But once upon a time, in Hugh Lofting's _Doctor Dolittle's Post Office_ (1923), the good Doctor had a plan to make the mail speedier and more efficient. It was to be the swiftest mail in the world, and it involved (among other things) a flock of gulls, a houseboat, tea parties, licorice flavored stamps, a pifflosaurus, Cheapside the London sparrow, a white peacock, scribbling classes, and the Cape Stephen Lighthouse. There were no computers, cell phones, or fax machines. But I'll bet that you will find that the Doctor's P.O. is a damned sight more fun.

There are a number of antagonists in this book: a ship of slavers, a hot-tempered navy captain, a spy from the Royal Meteorological Bureau, a pistol-packing pearl thief, and a dictatorial Emir. All are human. The animals might be foolish (like Gub-Gub) or cheeky (like Cheapside), or tempermental and vain. But they are rarely villainous. We know the same secret that Doctor Dolittle knows-- that if the world were run by the animals, it would be a better place.

There may be a time when fathers will say, "When _I_ was a boy, _I_ didn't get to teleport to school. _I_ had to ride in a rickety old bus!" Let's hope that even in those speedy times this account of the Doctor's Post Office will still be read and enjoyed.

Card catalog description
Doctor Dolittle establishes a swallow mail service for the animals when he discovers that they have their own way of writing.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this classic tale, Dr. Dolittle expands his horizons. Back when these were popular, you couldn't keep a copy on the Library shelves! One of the many sequels that are worth looking into for a taste of old fashioned childhood fiction!

In this famous story, the great Vet/Naturalist is at it again,this time starting a Post Office/Weather bureau for the animals with birds for postmen!I reccomend collectors read this one before packaging it. Fine story,but be aware of certain minor ethnic references.