The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle

By: Hugh Lofting

Narrated by: William Sutherland

The good Doctor Dolittle, accompanied by his devoted animal friends, sets sail once again. This time it is a voyage of discovery, to learn the secret of the Shellfish language, and to teach Tommy Stubbins, the Doctor's young protege, all there is to know about animals and their languages. Choosing their destination by opening an atlas, closing their eyes, and touching the page with a pencil, they set off on the most amazing voyage.

The jolly party meets with more adventures than they had anticipated, including surviving a shipwreck, exploring a floating island, seeing the doctor crowned king of the Popsipetel, and a journey undersea in the "hold" of the Great Glass Sea-snail.

Since 1920, children all over the world have read the Doctor Dolittle stories with devotion and pleasure.

(P) Blackstone Audiobooks

Creative, Imaginative

Although this book changed the way the series is narrated (from a third person omniscient to a second person), it still continues the thoughtful storytelling of the first. I think the writers of the Dr. Dolittle movie with Robert Downey Jr may have lightly based their movie on this book, emphasis on lightly. The basic premise is the same between the movie and this book though. I think it is to be more thoughtful and kind.

what a great story

great narration interesting story worth the time for a listen even if you have no children

Difficult to understand

My children have repeatedly listened to the Story of Doctor Dolittle and have found it very easy to follow (age range 4-7). Nadia Mays has a very delightful, warm, and crisp presentation. However, this narrator has a very "gravelly" voice, which makes his words difficult to understand. My children can't follow it at all, despite my attempts to present it to them on numerous occasions. This is unfortunate, because this book is intended for a younger audience.

Excellent hard to find story telling

I'm an adult but this was beneath me. I enjoyed it and was sometimes amazed at the image building story telling and am sorry it escaped me for so long. Teaches respect for the animals.

A delightful travel log

This is a lovely, meandering account of Dr. D.'s adventures in the south Atlantic. Not exactly action-packed, but full of wonderfully quirky details. The reader does a fine job with the animal voices, although some of the language and accents may be difficult for very young listeners.