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A review by indieandajean
The Story of Doctor Dolittle (Junior Classics for Young Readers) by Nick Price, Kathryn R. Knight, Hugh Lofting
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This abridged version of the story of Doctor Dolittle is short, sweet and to the point. I picked it up as my mother and I were looking for a light story to read together, and it certainly met the mark for that.
That said this version entirely sanitizes the racist language and depictions present in the original story. I know that this is a version meant to be read to modern children, but the fact that there was no mention of the racism in the original text in the foreword or about the author section, I felt that it missed the mark on offering an important perspective on the negative depictions present in the original story.
Overall I would say that this is a great version to read to young children, but I would recommend that adults also read the original and have an age appropriate conversation with their children about the parts of the story that this version glosses over or leaves out entirely.
That said this version entirely sanitizes the racist language and depictions present in the original story. I know that this is a version meant to be read to modern children, but the fact that there was no mention of the racism in the original text in the foreword or about the author section, I felt that it missed the mark on offering an important perspective on the negative depictions present in the original story.
Overall I would say that this is a great version to read to young children, but I would recommend that adults also read the original and have an age appropriate conversation with their children about the parts of the story that this version glosses over or leaves out entirely.