This sequel to The Story of Doctor Dolittle won the Newbery Medal in 1923, only the second year the award was given.

But before he can commune with the Giant Glass Snail, he must save the life of a South American Indian naturalist named Long Arrow, save the inhabitants of a floating island from an icy death, save a tribal village from an attacking enemy against overwhelming odds, …and then save himself from being stuck forever as king of Spider Monkey Island. This proves to be the Doctor’s first lead in his quest to learn the language of shellfish. Some of the incidents along the way include a curious bullfight, a narrow escape, a disastrous storm, and a conversation with a funny little fish called the fidgit. Unfortunately, their ship also carries a surprising number of stowaways, who add spice to the early stages of the journey. They are accompanied by their old friend Bumpo, an African prince who has been studying at Oxford, and whose hilarious mangling of fancy words shows how dangerous a little education can be.

Then the voyages properly begin.ĭoctor Dolittle, Tommy, and several of their animal friends set sail. First come some dry-land escapades, including a remarkable murder trial in which a dog becomes the key witness. Tommy tells us how he befriended the amazing doctor, how he decided he wanted to be a naturalist too, and how he started to learn to talk the animals’ languages himself. In this second book of his adventures, Doctor Dolittle gets a young assistant: Tommy Stubbins, who narrates this installment. We have already met the good doctor of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh, the one who talks to animals, the better to treat their aches and pains and to learn about the natural world.

The voyages of dr dolittle book