Doctor Squash the Doll Doctor

December 1, 2010

K-Gr 3-This newly illustrated reissue of a 1952 Golden Book recounts the illnesses of various dolls-squeaky soldier, teddy bear with a bloody nose, fireman with a broken leg, Indian with poison ivy, etc-and Doctor Squash, who comes running to dispense medicine and advice as needed. When the good doctor falls ill, the toys get the chance to return the favor and take care of him. Hitch's cartoon illustrations complement the text well with bright colors and great facial expressions. They are updated from the original (no Mammy doll) but still have an old-fashioned look. References to the snowman doll's illness and "wild Indian" have been removed. Perplexingly, the story does continue to refer to cough drops as "good as candy and just as pretty" and to mention writing prescriptions for measles, mumps, chicken pox, and whooping cough. Updated, but still a bit out-of-date.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

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