Product Description

In the further adventures of the hero from the Newbery Honor-winning Doctor De Soto, the diminutive dentist is summoned by cablegram to Africa to aid Mudambo, an elephant with an unbearable toothache.

Children's Choices for 1993 (IRA/CBC)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #216940 in Books
• Published on: 1994-05-30
• Released on: 1994-04-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Articulating the affection of a multitude of fans--"Dr. Bernard De Soto was such a one-in-a-million, humdinger of a dentist that the whole world knew about him"--Steig reintroduces the debonair mouse-dentist and his beloved wife/assistant, Deborah. The dental dilemma of an elephant named Mudambo lead the duo on a pain relief mission to West Africa. No sooner are they ashore than Dr. De Soto is kidnapped by "a certain rhesus monkey, Honkitonk by name," sworn enemy of Mudambo--who considers his foe "an ill-bred pachyderm with a preposterous schnozzola." It's all here: the exuberant, Steigian phrases that somersault off the tongue, the nimble humor, the unflinching drama. Unfortunately, the rather complex plot doesn't utilize the dentist's by-now-legendary cunning for its resolution; it does, however, showcase the equally skilled, ever-faithful Deborah. Creatures of every stripe and feather populate this unique African jungle, evoking images and characters from previous works. Yet the vibrant, colorful illustrations exude a freshness and pizzazz that will leave readers wondering where the next world-class toothache will strike. Ages 3-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2 --A telegram from an elephant desperately in need of dental attention is the impetus for Dr. and Mrs. De Soto's journey to Africa. But not all is smooth sailing for the couple, as a rhesus monkey bears a grudge against the elephant for a previous insult, and kidnaps the diminutive dentist as revenge. There are some situations here that are ripe for Steig's standard brand of humor, but the text is missing his inventive, playful language and his subtle word choices. It's a bland telling, with some of the lines more like captions than integrated storytelling. The illustrations are deftly drawn and nicely composed, with the agonized patient stealing the show. Steig takes full advantage of the size disparity between the grandiose elephants and their furnishings and the miniscule mice, and gets in some amusing touches. However, the colors seem too pale and drab for the steamy, sunny climate, and the adventure is too mild to warrant repeated readings.
- Trev Jones, School Library Journal
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Mudambo, an elephant, has a terrible toothache; all expenses will be paid if the De Sotos will come. Despite their size difference, Mudambo and his wife prove congenial hosts, and the De Sotos bed down for the night on Mrs. Mudambo's pincushion, planning to continue work on the offending tooth in the morning, except that, unfortunately, Honkitonk--a disgruntled monkey- -kidnaps the good dentist at midnight. After a search through the jungle, and the intrepid mouse's escape with minor injuries, the dental work is completed--only this time Mrs. De Soto crafts the repairs, while the doctor directs from his wheelchair. Steig's fresh, humorous turns of phrase, his amiable characterizations, and his gentle colors are as beguiling and ingenuous as ever. The last page hints that the mice will continue to explore ``our beautiful planet.'' (Picture book. 3+) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

The Product of a Strange but Brilliant Mind

What makes William Steig tick?

Reading this book one can only wonder at the inner workings of a sublime and zany mind. Is he mad? At times he seems to barely skirt the edge of lunacy - an imagination such as this is anything but normal.

Do you want your kids to read this?

Absolutely - just make sure they buckle their seatbelts first.

Here's how it starts...

"Doctor Bernard De Soto was such a one-in-a-million, humdinger of a dentist that the whole world knew about him, and also about his wife, Deborah, who helped him work his wonders".

De Soto, it should be noted is a very refined and professional looking mouse. But why in the world is his wife's name Deborah?

Steig continues, "The two of them were listening to Caruso one evening when this cablegram arrived"...

Of all the things the DeSotos might be listening to, why Caruso? The author surely has a reason as each such unexpected choice contributes to the the book's bent and altered state of reality.

The cablegram contains an offer of ten thousand gold walulus as an incentive for Dr. D. and his wife D. to travel to Dabwan West Africa to deal with the giant toothache of a seriously suffering elephant. And so the action gets underway.

Along the way things take a dark and scary twist. "Around midnight, while his wife slept, Dr. Bernard De Soto was kidnapped. A hand covered his mouth, and he was hustled off in the clutches of a certain rhesus monkey, Honkitonk by name."

Why in the middle of the book is the by now well known protagonist referred to as "Doctor Bernard De Soto"? By now you get the idea...

In the end, however, all is well. The successful dental intervention liberates the pachyderm from pain and he and his wife dance a "frolicsome fandango".

Just amazing.

Too Scary for Words
Though this book is very nicly written, the illustrations are freaky!!!!!
The monkey made my whole family scream in terror! I would not recommend this book for children under 7 years of age .

Doctor DeSoto, well-traveled mouse dentist!
William Steig's inimitable mouse creation, Doctor DeSoto, goes on a wonderful adventure in this wonderful book. Along with his able assistant and wife, Deborah, he travels via ocean liner to Africa to see about fixing the tooth of an ailing elephant. While there, the DeSotos get into all sorts of difficulties, all of which are vividly, colorfully illustrated by Steig.

Steig has a wonderful way with artwork, as those who love him already know, but he has an equally uncanny knack with narrative. Eschewing simple phrases and tiny words, he throws around plot and dialogue with great vim and vigor and his enthusiasm and childlike view of this mouse couple are infectious. Highly recommended!