Doctor de Soto - (Cumulative Research: June/Dec 90) by William Steig (Hardcover)

About the Book

Doctor De Soto, a mouse dentist, copes with the toothaches of various animals except those who have a taste for mice, until the day a fox comes to him in great pain.

Book Synopsis

NEWBERY HONOR BOOK AND NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST

Doctor de Soto is a story that proves even a fox can be out-foxed by a clever mouse--from William Steig, the Caldecott and Newbery Medal-winning creator of Shrek!.

"Doctor De Soto, the dentist, did very good work." With the aid of his able assistant, Mrs. De Soto, he copes with the toothaches of animals large and small. His expertise is so great that his fortunate patients never feel any pain.

Since he's a mouse, Doctor De Soto refuses to treat "dangerous" animals--that is, animals who have a taste for mice. But one day a fox shows up and begs for relief from the tooth that's killing him. How can the kindhearted De Sotos turn him away? But how can they make sure that the fox doesn't give in to his baser instincts once his tooth is fixed? Those clever De Sotos will find a way.

Review Quotes

"I cannot imagine childhood without Steig: Sylvester, Pearl, Caleb, and now Doctor De Soto." --The Dallas Morning News

"This is one of those picture books that are so good I'd just like to quote the whole thing." --Philadelphia Inquirer

"Simple but sly, a mischievously imaginative rendition of the classic theme." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Doctor De Soto is a mouse dentist who . . . operates a clinic open to all except animals threatening to mice. What to do, then, when a weeping and wailing fox shows up for treatment? . . . There is great wit and good fun in the illustrations." --Booklist, starred review

About the Author

William Steig (1907-2003) was a cartoonist, illustrator and author of award-winning books for children, including Shrek!, on which the DreamWorks movies are based; the Caldecott Medal-winner Sylvester and the Magic Pebble; The Caldecott Honor book The Amazing Bone; and the Newbury Honor Books Abel's Island and Doctor De Soto. Stieg also published thirteen collections of drawings for adults, including The Lonely Ones, Male/Female, and Our Miserable Life.