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

FROM OUR EDITORS

Doctor Desoto and his wife, both mice, assist animals large and small with their dental needs-that is, all animals except foxes! One day a fox comes to them in such great pain that they agree to treat his rotten tooth. When it becomes clear the fox intends to eat them when the job is done, the DeSotos come up with a brilliant plan. As usual, Steig combines elegent writing with amusing and sophisticated illustrations.

ANNOTATION

Dr. De Soto, a mouse dentist, copes with the toothaches of various animals except those with a taste for mice, until the day a fox comes to him in great pain.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"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.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly