Written and illustrated by Hugh Lofting. First edition, twentieth impression, 1952. J. B. Lippincott Company, New York. Philadelphia.
The story begins with Doctor John Dolittle seeking a way to earn money to pay off his voyage to Africa. His idea is to feature the Pushmi-Pullyu (a unique two-headed animal) in a circus. However, he faces challenges until he discovers a small business circus owned by the ringmaster, Blossum. The Doctor persuades Blossum to visit his house in Puddleby to discuss the payment and rules for featuring the Pushmi-Pullyu in the circus.
As the performance unfolds, the Doctor starts earning, but he also realizes that the circus animals are living in wretched conditions. Despite the Doctor's suggestions for improvement, Blossum doesn't cooperate. Along the way, the Doctor meets Sophie, an Alaskan seal owned by Mr. Higgins. Sophie misses her husband, Slushy, who is the alpha seal of her herd. The Doctor plans an escape for Sophie, leading to a series of adventures involving disguises, escapes, and encounters with other characters.
Hugh Lofting (1886 - 1947) was an English American writer who began writing stories for magazines, until his career was interrupted by World War I, during which he served as a lieutenant in the Irish Guards. He wrote letters to his children from the front, and invented the character of Doctor Dolittle to entertain them. After the war, he turned his letters into books, and published The Story of Doctor Dolittle in 1920, followed by several sequels. He won the Newbery Medal in 1923 for The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle.
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Condition: Very Good. Missing dust jacket. Yellow cloth cover boards with green decoration: Light shelf wear; bumped at the corners, with greater impact on upper corners. Pages are clean, undamaged, and complete.
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