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Start giftingThe Story of Dr. Dolittle, with eBook
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Learn moreNo one loves and understands animals like the eccentric nineteenth-century physician Dr. Dolittle—who masters animal language with the help of Polynesia the parrot. After his human patients desert him, the kind-hearted doctor finds his calling in practicing animal medicine, and his fame spreads far and wide. When a terrible epidemic breaks out among monkeys in Africa, Dr. Dolittle sets out to save them, accompanied by some of his favorite pets. Thus begins the amusing, whimsical adventures of Dr. Dolittle and the animal kingdom. Hugh Lofting, winner of the 1923 Newbery Medal for The Voyages of Dr. Dolittle, has a gifted knack for imbuing unique, distinct personalities in his characters—human and animal alike.
Hugh Lofting (1886–1947) was a British author, trained as a civil engineer, who created the character of Dr. Dolittle-one of the classics of children's literature. After serving in World War I as an officer in the Irish Guards, in which he was seriously wounded, he and his family moved to Connecticut. He was married three times and had three children. Lofting's doctor from Puddleby-on-the-Marsh who could speak to animals first saw light in the author's illustrated letters to children, written from the trenches during World War I when actual news, he later said, was either too horrible or too dull. The stories are set in early Victorian England. The Story of Dr. Dolittle is the first title in the series. The sequel, The Voyages of Dr. Dolittle, won Lofting the prestigious Newbery Medal. Eight more books followed, and the series has been adapted for film and television many times, for stage twice, and for radio. Lofting produced a number of other books in addition to his Dr. Dolittle titles. Among his publications are the children's picture books The Story of Mrs. Tubbs and Tommy, Tilly, and Mrs. Tubbs; Porridge Poetry, a light-hearted book of poems for children; Noisy Nora; The Twilight of Magic; and Victory for the Slain, an epic poem and the only work Lofting wrote for adults.
A highly respected and enthusiastic audiobook narrator, David Case specialized in creating unique and interesting character voices. AudioFile magazine named him a Golden Voice, writing after he died in 2005 that "David's cultured British voice, his flair for accents and dialects, and his comedic timing made him one of the industry's most sought-after narrators." He narrated over 700 audiobooks. In one of his last interviews, David said, "I really believe I was born to record audiobooks." Fans everywhere tend to agree.