Dr. White

by Jane Goodall, J Litty, Julie Wintz-Litty (Illustrator)

Every day, a small white dog goes to the hospital to visit sick children and help them recover.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Animals, Hospitals, Childrens, Health, Love

36 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

For the Australian academic and mystery writer, see Professor Jane R. Goodall.

Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace was a world-renowned ethologist and activist inspiring greater understanding and action on behalf of the natural world every single day.

Dr. Goodall was best known for groundbreaking studies of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, transformative research that continues to this day as the longest-running wild chimpanzee study in the world. Dr. Goodall was the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, a global conservation, advocacy, animal welfare, research, and youth empowerment organization, including her global Roots & Shoots program.

Dr. Goodall had worked extensively on climate action, human rights, conservation, and animal welfare issues for decades, and was a central voice in the work to advance environmental progress.

Reviews

[Wendelle]

This doctor is a very good boy with high percentage success rate, unparalleled bedside manner and endorsement from Dr. Jane Goodall. 10/10

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story. Even though it involves very sick children in the hospital, all the mentioned children recover, and the book has a happy, redemptive ending. The watercolor illustrations set the perfect tone for the story.

Mother Tongue notes: The length of text on the page was perfect for challenging unsure, but capable readers in class 3. My students loved the “reveal” that the doctor being written about was a dog, even though they already knew the book’s basic subject.

We looked up Jane Goodall and talked a bit about her life’s work after reading.

[Jennifer Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love all things Jane Goodall! 🥰

[John Blacksad · Rating 5 out of 5]

İngiltere’de bir pediatrik kliniğinde gerçekten yaşanmış olaylardan esinlenerek yazılmış. Kliniğin maskotu olmuş, çocuk hastaların gözdesi bir köpeğimiz var. Onun teması ve moral desteğinin iyileşmeye katkısı olduğuna sağlık ekibi de inanmış artık. Normal karşılıyorlar. Fakat bir gün köpeğimiz hıfzısıhha kanunu ile karşı karşıya geliyor :)

Suluboya bir tablo gibi seyirlik çizgisi, sıcak bir anlatımı, “eden bulur” klişesine yaslanan bir hikayesi var. Neyse ki kitabın kitlesinin klişeye kanaat getirmesi için çokça yol alması lazım. Benzer şeyler görmesi okuması lazım. Mesela ben oğluma okurken neredeyse sadece köpek çizimleriyle ilgilendik ve hiç klişe gelmedi. Üst üste üç kez okuduk :)

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

World renowned animal expert, Jane Goodall, has given her life to chimpanzee research and animal rescue.

In this book, Goodall recounts the true story of "Dr. White." This dog was a hospital favorite in London, England, helping very ill children at the hospital to recover. Although his treatment was unconventional, to put it mildly, this dog was beloved, and he had an excellent success rate.

Sadly he was banished from the hospital by the health inspector. But was that the end of this story? No no!

FIVE STARS to narrator Jane Goodall, and the illustrator Julie Litty (whose illustrations are sensitively rendered, truly beautiful).

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart warming tale of the powerful presence of animals in our lives. Esp. Dr. White , a small white dog who detected illness in children. Some animals have a unique ability to do that and are used for that purpose. Our own animals at home know when we need extra love and attention too.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Make sure to read the forward on the inside front cover, otherwise Cynical Adult Reader might be disgruntled.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this dog story of a little white dog who visits children in the hospital. I had not realized it was based on a true story of a dog adopted by a children's hospital in London.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story with charming illustrations.

[Sammi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable.

[Mely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an endearing book. My daughter fell in love with the story. Dr. White is a wonderful, lovable character. A feel good story that warms the heart.

[Sydney Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet.

[Abbigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just crying, a very sweet story about the power of our canine companions. I find it hilarious that these sorts of stories make me emotional because I dont even like dogs.

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gentle, realistic illustrations and intriguing text tell the true tale of an adorable stray dog that restored health to critically ill children in a London hospital and hope to those who cared for them.

You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.

Working dogs on JOMB:
How Smudge Came
Rosie: A Visiting Dog’s Story
Heroes of Isle aux Morts

More dogs on JOMB:
Doggie in the Window
Owney the Mail-Pouch Pooch
Night Running: How James Escaped with the Help of His Faithful Dog
Stella, Unleashed!
Little Lions, Bull Baiters & Hunting Hounds: A History of Dog Breeds
Biscuits in the Cupboard
Good Dog
May I Pet Your Dog?
“Let’s Get a Pup!” said Kate
My Pup
The Pound from the Hound
Poodlena
The Trouble with Tilly Trumble
The Outside Dog
Lady Lupin’s Book of Etiquette
Dogs’ Night
I Want A Dog
Safe and Sound
Dirty Dog Boogie

You can listen to our to vain attempt get our doggie dose through children's books here.

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful. Never underestimate the power of animals.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true story set in a London pediatric ward, this picture book will touch readers' hearts and make them think about the healing power of love. A small white dog brings comfort to the young patients in the hospital until a health inspector banishes him. But when the daughter of that same health inspector ends up in the hospital, a nurse slips the dog, who is affectionately known as Doctor White, into her room. The luminous illustrations complement the story perfectly and add a great deal to an already-engaging story. As are many readers, I'm a sucker for heart-tugging stories about animals. This one is perfect for sharing with students.

[Salsabrarian]

Based on a true story in London about a little white dog who visited critically ill children in their beds and whose presence was healing. When the health inspector finds out, he bans Dr. White from the hospital. But when his own little girl falls seriously ill, a nurse lets Dr. White in to work his magic which he does, causing the health inspector to have a change of heart.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book based on a true story about a dog in a London hospital! We came across this book studying Jane Goodall; she's the author. It's wonderful! Unfortunately only available through interlibrary loan in our system.

[Julie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously, this book is so beautiful, it's ridiculous. It's based on the true story of a dog that appeared to have healing abilities with critically ill children. The story and the illustrations are outstanding.

[Selena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is going straight to my outreach list. It's hard to find true, heartwarming stories for reading out loud. Children need something to make them think and pull at their heart just like adults do. This one fits the bill.

[Pınar Aydoğdu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hayranlıkla takip ettiğim Jane Goodall, yine gerçek bir hikâye ile çocukların kalbini hayvanların sevgisine açıyor. Dr. White, sadece çocukların değil yetişkinlerin de farkındalığını arttıracak bir hikâye. Çizimler de çok başarılı.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true story, a little white dog visits with very ill children at a London hospital and his presence proves to be remarkably good medicine.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story about the power of an animal's love in healing.

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very touching picture book about therapy animals (dogs in particular) and what a difference they can sometimes make. It might be a little much for a more sensitive reader.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet little story. Not quite right for story time. I like the art MOSTLY, I'm not a BIG fan on how parts of it seem so unfinished. But the dog is super cute.

[Kimberly Wright Oelkers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done. Based on a true story.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what to make of this. The simplicity is off putting and a little clumsy. I see classroom teachers using this book well though. The illustrations are really beautiful.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet story is based on circumstances at a London hospital. Dr. White is my kind of doctor. The power of puppy love.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It had been so long since I'd read this and when I found it on the new books shelf I coudn't resist another reading. Delightful.

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is beautiful children's book based on a true story. If you like animals and believe that they can help us heal, you will appreciate this little story. The artwork alone is a treasure.