Doctor John Dolittle lives in the small town of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh. He doesn't get along well with people, but it's a completely different story with animals; he can even help the sick crocodile. Many animals stay with the shy doctor after their treatment, finding a place in the garden or the house, as he also speaks their languages. His grumpy sister finds all of this too much and moves out. "Normal" patients no longer come to the practice anyway.

When a new and incurable animal disease breaks out in Africa, he and his loyal friends decide to charter a ship and set off for the unknown continent to help the animals there, despite their lack of money.

Hugh Lofting's children's book classic from 1920 has been completely retranslated for this edition by Eike Schönfeld. The great animal illustrator Reinhard Michl has brilliantly illustrated "Doctor Dolittle" for the Insel-Bücherei. A magnificent rediscovery!.