Doctor De Soto
A clever mouse dentist treats a fox, creating a story where the child is more worried about the dentist's safety than their own. It uses matter-of-fact descriptions of dental tools to demystify procedures.
Doctor De Soto by William Steig is estimated to take about 12 minutes to read aloud (1,114 words, about 3 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 4-6.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 12 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 1,114Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 3Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 4/5stretching
- Best for
- Ages 4-6Our editorial fit
Our review
This story is quite a departure from typical picture books, focusing on a mouse who must use wit to handle a fox. It's a clever, high-vocabulary read.
The matter-of-fact way it handles dental instruments can act as a subtle way to desensitize children to the idea of medical visits.
Before you buy it
The vocabulary can be quite tough, featuring words like "morsel" or "unbearable." Because the fox is openly plotting to eat the characters, it's a better fit for five and six-year-olds than toddlers.
Themes
- dentists
- cleverness
- foxes
- mice
Books like Doctor De Soto
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
The Gruffaloabout 8.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentistabout 8.5 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Zogabout 9.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
The Snail and the Whaleabout 8 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Curious George Goes to the Hospitalabout 20 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Doctor De Soto aloud?
About 12 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 1,114. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Doctor De Soto actually for?
Ages 4-6 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 3 sentences a page and vocabulary at 4 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Doctor De Soto survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Will my child memorise Doctor De Soto?
It can. It scores 4 out of 5 with us for holding up to repeat reading, and children tend to learn by heart the books they ask for most, even without a strong refrain.
Can a beginning reader read Doctor De Soto on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 4 out of 5 and 3 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
What themes does Doctor De Soto cover?
We tag it with dentists, cleverness, foxes and mice. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
Lists Doctor De Soto is on
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