Dr. White [Hardcover]

Jane Goodall (Author), J. Litty (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

Every day, a small white dog goes to the hospital to visit sick children and help them recover.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"It was a cold, wet morning. Dr. White dashed to the hospital. He was late," begins this affectionate tale starring a true hero to many children in critical condition. Litty (Lumina) carefully disguises the doctor's identity in her illustrations while casting out a few subtle clues. After showing a glimpse of a white tail and a canine-shaped shadow, she reveals the "doctor" as a small, white, shaggy dog who makes his rounds in the children's ward. Dr. White dispenses his time-proven medicineAcuddling, licking hands and thumping his tail on his patients' bedsAand is credited for the recovery of many children. Basing her story on a valiant dog with a high success rate at a London hospital, Goodall (With Love) creates tension in the tale with the introduction of an ornery health inspector who evicts Dr. White from the hospitalAuntil his own daughter's illness calls for drastic measures, and the staff secretly reinstates the pooch. Goodall's matter-of-fact text serves as the perfect foil for the dog's seemingly magical ability to heal, and her subject is timely. Against a predominance of hospital white, Litty's watercolor close-up portraits offer a warm contrast with a full range of human (as well as canine) expressions. If there are any skeptics out there who question the benefits of pet-assisted therapy, this book may well make believers of them. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-A slight story about a little white dog that helps sick children. Dr. White has been adopted by the hospital staff and spends his days with the young patients, giving special attention to those who are critically ill. His love is often just what is needed to speed their recoveries. One day, a health inspector comes and orders the dog removed from the premises. He is banished to the backyard and he and the children suffer from the separation. The all-too-predictable outcome occurs when the inspector's daughter becomes ill and he finally witnesses for himself the benefits of the animal's attention. Dr. White is restored to his former position and all is well again. The text is simple and direct with illustrations in a pale palette that nicely reflects the quiet mood of the tale. However, the story is predictable and becomes mired in sentimentality that makes its message overwhelmingly obvious. The most ardent animal lovers might find some appeal here; however, most young readers will find it just too sweet. For a better account of a real animal involved with pet-assisted therapy, try Stephanie Calmenson's Rosie (Clarion, 1994).
Arwen Marshall, New York Public Library
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 36 pages
• Publisher: North-South Books (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 073581063X
• ISBN-13: 978-0735810631
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,300,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

JANE GOODALL continues to study and write about primate behavior. She founded the Gombe Stream Research Center in Gombe National Park, Tanzania, and the Jane Goodall Institute for Wild Life Research, Education, and Conservation to provide ongoing support for field research on wild chimpanzees. She is the author of many books, including two autobiographies in letters, Africa in My Blood and Beyond Innocence. Today Dr. Goodall spends much of her time lecturing, sharing her message of hope for the future, and encouraging young people to make a difference in their world.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dr. White, December 28, 1999

By 

Nancy Clinton (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dr. White (Hardcover)

I gave this book to my six year old daughter as a Christmas gift. We read it together as a bedtime story and her first reaction was : "I want you to read it again right now!". In fact, she would have liked me to read it several more times that night. It is a beautifully illustrated, lovingly written story about a special dog who helps sick children get well. It touched each of us emotionally without being falsely sentimental. We both found it very interesting that it is based on true events. I certainly recommend it for children from 3 to 8 and feel older children would also find the story interesting. It is a wonderful book to give as a gift.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Megan's Book, August 26, 2007

By 

P. White (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dr. White (Paperback)

I bought this book for my daughter's summer reading list. It was a truly touching story, beautifully written and illustrated. My daughter loves animals, and to read about one who truly loves people was wonderful. My family really liked this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book Ever, June 1, 2010

By 

D. J. Hercules "djh1952" (Loveland,Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dr. White (Hardcover)

I loved this book,I will never loan it out, or give it away.
It has such special meaning to me, as I own two of these dogs.
LOVE IT LOVE IT