Doctor de Soto - by William Steig

About the Book

A Newbery Honor Book and an ALA Notable Book, "Doctor De Soto" tells the story of a mouse who's also a dentist, written by the creator of "Shrek." Full color.

Book Synopsis

From the incomparable William Steig, creator of Shrek, comes a story that proves even a fox can be out-foxed by a clever mouse in Doctor De Soto, a Newbery Honor Book.

"Doctor De Soto, the dentist, did very good work." With the aid of his able assistant, Mrs. De Soto, he copes with the toothaches of animals large and small. His expertise is so great that his fortunate patients never feel any pain.

Since he's a mouse, Doctor De Soto refuses to treat "dangerous" animals--that is, animals who have a taste for mice. But one day a fox shows up and begs for relief from the tooth that's killing him. How can the kindhearted De Sotos turn him away? But how can they make sure that the fox doesn't give in to his baser instincts once his tooth is fixed? Those clever De Sotos will find a way.

Doctor De Soto is a 1982 New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of the Year and Outstanding Book of the Year, a 1983 Boston Globe - Horn Book Awards Honor Book for Picture Books, and a 1983 Newbery Honor Book.

Made into an animated short film in 1984 by American director and animator Michael Sporn.

Review Quotes

"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." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

"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." --Booklist, Starred Review

About the Author

William Steig (1907-2003) was a cartoonist, illustrator and author of award-winning books for children, including Shrek!, on which the DreamWorks movies are based; the Caldecott Medal-winner Sylvester and the Magic Pebble; The Caldecott Honor book The Amazing Bone; and the Newbury Honor Books Abel's Island and Doctor De Soto. Stieg also published thirteen collections of drawings for adults, including The Lonely Ones, Male/Female, and Our Miserable Life.