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Doctor De Soto is a well-respected mouse-dentist who runs a successful practice with his wife (and able assistant) Mrs. De Soto. The De Sotos are friendly and professional toward all their patients, from chipmunks to donkeys to cows, the exception being "cats and other dangerous animals," as stated clearly on the sign outside the office. But the De Sotos are tender-hearted rodents, so when a miserable fox shows up begging for treatment, they agree to have a look (perhaps against their better judgment). As it turns out, this fox, with "a rotten bicuspid and unusually bad breath," manages to behave himself while tiny Doctor De Soto is standing mid-molar inside his gaping jaws. When the wily fox returns the next day to get his replacement gold tooth, however, he has mouse-flavored snacks on his mind. Luckily, Doctor De Soto and his wife have anticipated such despicable canine intentions, and find a way to outfox the ungrateful fox.
William Steig, award-winning creator of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, once again offers young readers a clever, amusing tale of interspecies mingling. As usual, Steig's tone is matter-of-fact, and his enchanting illustrations of the responsible mouse couple and their foxy adversary are alive with expression and emotion. Kids will appreciate the De Sotos' wit, and will be delighted to read more about this diminutive couple's adventures in Doctor De Soto Goes to Africa. (Ages 4 to 8)
From Publishers Weekly
A somewhat unusual--and ravenous--patient is outfoxed by the resourceful mouse-dentist in this sly tale of mischief. Ages 3-up. Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3-Spanish version of tale by William Steig.Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"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." --Starred, Kirkus Reviews
"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." --Starred, Booklist
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