The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting

This was a humorous story full of imagination written for children in the early 1900s. Doctor Dolittle is a doctor who used to treat people in his home, but he kept bringing more animals into the home driving his human customers away. My favorite quote from the book said by Doctor Dolittle is: "“But I like the animals better than the ‘best people’,” said the Doctor." Therefore, the penniless doctor had to make a change in his profession and become an animal doctor. He learned to speak animal languages and some wild adventures ensued.

Eventually the doctor and his animal friends were off to Africa to save the monkeys. This is the part of the story that I did not like. If only the author had left out the humans in this story. There is blatant racism and stereotypes of dark-skinned Africans in this story that become a huge part of the story when the African prince would only free the doctor and his animal pals if the doctor could give him light skin. I wanted to tell the prince that one day he will find his princess and that he does not need to change his appearance just for her.

All in all, The Story of Doctor Dolittle has inspired me to use my imagination and perhaps one day soon I will write a children's book with my imagination like Hugh Lofting did in this story except without stereotypes and racism. I am grateful that the world has changed so much in 100 years.

My Flower-pot by Unknown

Link to book: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25553

I randomly found this very short book and saw the word flower. This will probably be my shortest review:

This is a very short child's picture book of poetry about flowers with religion mixed in. The poems are mediocre as well as the pictures. I don't hate it, but I also would not recommend it.

Chinook, the Cinnamon Cub by Allen Chaffee

"Dewdrops gleamed like diamonds on every flower and fern and spider web that bordered the cascading creek."

I knew by the second sentence that I was going to enjoy this read. The author beautifully paints a picture with his words of the Oregon woods. With that setting, we are introduced to some lively bear cubs, Snookie and Chinook, and their wise Mother Brown Bear. Mother Brown Bear teaches her cubs the ropes of living in the forest. They learn all about the flora and fauna around them and have some fun too.

This is a children's book published in 1924, so there is not a lot of scary imagery making for a pleasant read. The story also doesn't have a major plot, as each chapter is a story in itself. One of the chapters about the smuggler is quite humorous, but some parents nowadays probably would not approve of it. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the great outdoors because the descriptions of the setting and the animals of the forest are simply beautiful.

Almost forgot, here is a link to this wonderful children's book: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/61888

Kittens & Cats by Eulalie Osgood Grover

Link to ebook: 

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/61852

This is a children's book with kittens and cats from the early 1900s primarily read in schools. The kittens and cats are going to the queen's party and there are many little poems and mother goose rhymes to describe all of the characters. The fun part about this book is not the poems, but the photos of all the characters, the kittens and cats all dressed up! I would say the book is definitely outdated, but it gives a glimpse into the past with the kitten with the dunce hat and the wealthy cat that is the only owner of an automobile in the country. I'm just not sure if it would hold the attention of children nowadays. 

I liked this little disclaimer from a word to the teacher: 

"In one respect kittens take precedence over dolls. They are alive. They must be treated kindly. They will not bear the abuse and neglect given to many beautiful dolls. They demand attention and companionship, and they return a real devotion for kindness and care. Therefore we love them, and especially do our children love them and delight in stories or pictures of them." 

The Mississippi Saucer by Frank Belknap Long

Link to story: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/23568/23568-h/23568-h.htm

I had to include this heading artwork from Jon Arfstrom. I'm still not sure how it represents the story, but it looks fun!

On to this short science fiction story now, this is Jimmy's story of living on the river with Uncle Al and Pigtail, his sister. Uncle Al and Pigtail are fun characters, Uncle Al is a good ole boy and Pigtail is just a typical sister that Jimmy loves to annoy. The author does do a good job of setting the scene on a Mississippi River with riverboats and the shanty boat that Jimmy and his family lived on. All the characters on the river also speak in a Southern/Cajun dialect. I've never read any science fiction short stories with this sort of dialect, so that was interesting.

Now there is not a lot of action or big plot in this short story which is why I wish it was longer and more expanded on. The story is a feel good one though. There is flying saucers and Jimmy has quite an experience which you will have to experience yourself when you read it. It definitely was not what I was expecting. A theme that this story leaves with us is the beauty of simplicity and a return to simpler times. I will leave you with this quote from the story: "In our childhood we must return to the scenes of our past, to take root again in familiar soil, to grow in power and wisdom slowly and sturdily, like a seed dropped back into the loam which nourished the great flowering mother plant."

About Open Realm Reviews

I created this blog with the intention of reviewing works that are available on the public domain. Most of the works that are out of copyright have less written about them than contemporary works. I am hoping to change that little by little. I am using Project Gutenberg (gutenberg.org) to read these works. I go to book search and then click random books to find an ebook that I would like to read. I am mostly reading these ebooks while on my breaks at work, so it may take me a little while to get through an ebook depending on the length of the book. So, stay tuned.