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Doctor De Soto

Book Summary

Reviewed by Peter Lewis

Never trust a fox! Mouse dentist Doctor De Soto and his able assistant wife don't, but they do take pity on the wily one that pleads for them to yank his rotten, aching tooth. The ungrateful beast's ensuing plans to eat the mice are thwarted in author/illustrator William Steig's typically imaginative fashion.

Is It Any Good?

4

Few writers rival William Steig when it comes to short but compelling stories. His work is gentle, yet he keeps the reader's imagination hopping with clever twists of plot and resourceful, often courageous, actions by characters. Steig doesn't shrink from challenging words -- "the fox caressed the new tooth with his tongue" -- and at times they can be outright demanding. But his tinder-dry humor, guarantees an attentive audience.

Steig's artwork is lyrical, washed with color, and imbued with a tangible presence. The characters float on the white background of the page, which sets off their expressions like firecrackers. And what marvelous expressions they are, signaling to the reader exactly how a character is feeling.

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