<p>John Doolittle is a kind-hearted country physician who keeps goldfish in his pond rabbits in the pantry white mice in a piano and a hedgehog in the cellar. He also has an unusual gift: he can talk to animals - a talent that comes in handy since he prefers treating animals rather than humans as his patients. One day a mysterious call summons him to Africa where a serious epidemic has spread among the monkey population.</p><p>Of course the good doctor sets out immediately with some of his best friends - Jip the dog and Polynesia the parrot among others. Along the way they're joined by new acquaintances including the pushmi-pullyu a remarkable creature that has a head at both ends of its body. 'Any child who is not given the opportunity to make the acquaintance of this rotund kindly and enthusiastic doctor/naturalist and all of his animal friends will miss out on something important' said renowned primatologist Jane Goodall.</p>