The Story of Dr. Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
Dr. John Dolittle featured first in the illustrated letters from a father enduring the horrific trenches of WW1 to his children. I have enjoyed reading aloud many of the books, there are little jokes throughout that often only the parent will get. I am just finishing reading Gub-Gub’s Book, An Encyclopaedia of Food (1932), an old copy from my local library, no doubt it will soon be withdrawn: the original books are now out of print. There are newer version of some of the books with all the un-PC content removed, I hope they republish them all because they are lovely books. What child does not dream of being able to talk, really talk to their favourite pet?
The Story of Dr. Dolittle is available online for free including the audio book.
The National Library has a great number of the books:-) as to has Auckland Library .