Doctor Dolittle in the Moon facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Hugh Lofting |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Doctor Dolittle |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Frederick A. Stokes |
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Publication date
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1928 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Preceded by | Doctor Dolittle's Garden |
| Followed by | Doctor Dolittle's Return |
Doctor Dolittle in the Moon is an exciting children's book written by Hugh Lofting in 1928. This story follows the famous animal doctor, Doctor Dolittle, as he travels to the Moon. There, he discovers amazing new animals and plants. Back on Earth, his friends miss him and hope he will return soon.
Contents
What Happens on the Moon?
When Doctor Dolittle lands on the Moon, every day brings a new and exciting discovery. He meets a unique character named Otho Bludge, who is known as the Moon Man. Otho is a Stone Age artist. He was the only human on the Moon after it broke away from Earth a long, long time ago.
Meeting Moon Creatures and Plants
The animals living on the Moon quickly gather around Doctor Dolittle. He also learns how to talk with the very smart plants that grow there. The book describes the Moon's environment in great detail. However, it's important to remember that this story is more like fantasy than science fiction. The Moon in the book doesn't follow what scientists knew about the Moon in 1928.
Early Ideas About Ecology
Doctor Dolittle in the Moon was quite advanced for its time. It introduced ideas that are now called 'ecology,' even though the book didn't use that exact word. Doctor Dolittle helps guide the Lunar Council, which is led by Otho Bludge. Otho is a ten-foot-tall artist from the Stone Age who came from Earth. Together, they work out rules for how many seeds each person can grow every year. This shows how they managed their resources carefully.
The Moon's Mysterious Beginning
The book also explores "The Days Before There Was a Moon." These are ancient tales that Chee Chee the Monkey's grandmother told him when he was a little monkey. The story of how the Moon was formed is actually quite close to some scientific ideas, more so than other fantasy parts of the book.
Otho Bludge's Journey
Otho Bludge, the Stone Age sculptor, became the man on the Moon because he was on a large piece of rock that broke off from Earth. This rock then became the Moon. Otho was alone for many years, the only human on the Moon. He grew tired of only seeing his own reflection in the water. He really wished to see another human being. To answer his wish, he had a vision of Princess Pepiteepa. She posed for him, and then slowly disappeared.
