Welcome back to Rate & Review Books with NCBC!
June’s book review comes from one of our virtual book clubs, a Wednesday evening group that meets on Zoom.
Book or series of books: The Story of Dr. Dolittle
Author: Original story by Hugh Lofting, adapted version by Melissa Dalton Martinez
First, please tell our readers a little about your book club.
“It’s a fun group,” says co-facilitator Colleen. In January 2024, a hybrid Next Chapter Book Club that included Colleen, Amy, and Allie joined together with Kimberly, Derek, Abdullah, Tony, Anthony, Ahmad, Jackie, and Jillian to form the large virtual NCBC that now meets on Zoom each Wednesday evening.
Allie shares, “I like doing it over Zoom. I like not having to go back out after work.” Like members of other virtual NCBCs, Allie appreciates the convenience of being able to gather with friends from the comfort of home.
Several members of this club have been part of NCBC for over 12 years. Prior to Covid, their book clubs met in cafés and bookstores in Franklin County. In 2020, most groups transitioned to meeting virtually on platforms such as Zoom. When book clubs were able to meet in-person again, a few decided they would rather continue to meet on Zoom.
“NCBC members who have continued to meet virtually are able to avoid scheduling and transportation barriers. This means we generally have great attendance at our Wednesday evening meetings,” says co-facilitator Jillian.
After combining the two smaller clubs in early 2024, the group grew to eight members and three co-facilitators, and all have appreciated the chance to get to know more people. One club member even joins from Warsaw, Indiana. Amy sums it up by saying, “We meet nice, new people.”
Top row: Amy, Jillian, Allie; second row: Kimberly, Jackie, Colleen; third row: Abdullah; Not pictured: Derek, Anthony, Tony, Ahmad
What is The Story of Dr. Dolittle about?
“Dr. Dolittle is about a doctor that can talk to animals,” explains Kimberly. Dr. Dolittle does indeed have a special gift for being able to communicate with animals, and this takes him on some unusual adventures.
“He went to Africa and different places. I missed some meetings for cooking class and vacation. It was cool to hear about all the different places he went,” Allie says.
In this book, the simple and kind-hearted Dr. Dolittle travels to Africa to save monkeys from a terrible sickness. The journey takes many twists and turns, and Dr. Dolittle is helped by a close circle of friends, including Polynesia the parrot, Gub-Gub the pig, Dab-Dab the duck, Jip the dog, Chee-Chee the monkey, and others.
Colleen shares, “He goes around not only helping animals, but helping people too. For example, he helped the king’s son marry the love of his life.”
How easy was this book to understand?
“Overall, I think it was pretty easy,” Abdullah says.
“I thought it was sort of a weird book. Remember the pushmi-pullyu’s? I had never heard of that. Dr. Dolittle is even a weird name,” Amy says, and the group laughs.
What did you like about the book?
Co-facilitator Jackie says, “I liked the names of the animals. I like most stories with animals. Also, the traveling part was fun and exciting.”
“I liked Chee-Chee the monkey. I thought he was fun,” shares Abdullah.
“I liked the part with the dog, Jip. He found the lost uncle with only his nose,” Kimberly says. In this part of the story, a young boy’s uncle is lost on an island in the middle of the sea. Only Jip’s keen sense of smell could find him.
Were there any parts you didn’t like? If so, what were they?
Amy says, “I think all the parts were good, but someone else might have a different opinion.”
Abduallah says, “[The story] was a little different and extraordinary.” With a doctor who can talk to animals, you can say that again, Abdullah!
If another Next Chapter Book Club was thinking about reading this book, what would you tell them?
Club members nod their heads, and Allie gives a thumbs up, showing that they would all recommend The Story of Dr. Dolittle to other NCBCs.
What book (or series of books) has been your favorite so far?
- Allie: Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and others in The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis
- Colleen: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling, and The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis
- Abdullah: Wonder by RJ Palacio
- Jackie: Peter Pan (Disney Short Story), original by JM Barrie
- Amy: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling
- Kimberly: New Love, Spilt Milk, and Potbellied Pigs by Tom Fish and Jillian Ober
- Jillian: Wonder by RJ Palacio, and our current book, The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Please rate this book on a scale from 1 to 5 stars.
This club gave The Story of Dr. Dolittle 4.9 out of 5 stars.