Doctor De Soto
The mouse dentist treats a fox by working from outside his mouth, while the fox debates eating his helpers and the De Sotos quietly prepare a final adhesive countermeasure.
Doctor De Soto by William Steig is estimated to take about 12 minutes to read aloud (1,114 words, 3 sentences a spread). Best for ages 4-6.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 12 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Words
- 1,114Word count
- Sentences per spread
- 3Text density
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 4/5stretching
- Best for
- Ages 4-6Age range
Our review
Doctor De Soto's size shapes every decision: pulley equipment handles large patients, and the dangerous fox cannot be treated by entering his mouth. The fox's private argument about gratitude versus appetite gives the reader information the dentists lack, while their 'one-of-a-kind treatment' reveals they have planned beyond the immediate tooth.
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist names tools and stages of routine care. Doctor De Soto is a suspense story about professional compassion under risk, not preparation for a checkup. It can make dentistry interesting, but an anxious child may need the realistic counterpart first.
Before you buy it
Predation and dental pain create sustained tension despite the comic art. The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist is the more direct procedural preview of an ordinary appointment.
Themes
- dentists
- cleverness
- foxes
- mice
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