Doctor Desoto and his wife, both mice, assist animals large and small with their dental needs-that is, all animals except foxes! One day a fox comes to them in such great pain that they agree to treat his rotten tooth. When it becomes clear the fox intends to eat them when the job is done, the DeSotos come up with a brilliant plan. As usual, Steig combines elegent writing with amusing and sophisticated illustrations.

A somewhat unusual--and ravenous--patient is outfoxed by the resourceful mouse-dentist in this sly tale of mischief. Ages 3-up. (Apr.)

I cannot imagine childhood without Steig: Sylvester, Pearl, Caleb, and now Doctor De Soto.” —The Dallas Morning News

“This is one of those picture books that are so good I'd just like to quote the whole thing.” —Philadelphia Inquirer

“Simple but sly, a mischievously imaginative rendition of the classic theme.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Doctor De Soto is a mouse dentist who . . . operates a clinic open to all except animals threatening to mice. What to do, then, when a weeping and wailing fox shows up for treatment? . . . There is great wit and good fun in the illustrations.” —Booklist, Starred Review

It does say on the sign outside his establishment that animals dangerous to mice will not be admitted. Yet, on one fateful day, Mrs. De Soto prevails upon her husband, Dr. De Soto the dentist, to admit a bandage-wrapped fox. The buzzer is pressed, and Fox is in! What is a mouse to do when a fox imagines a delicious dinner of mouse after the dental work is complete? Stanley Tucci delights in bringing the scheming fox and the clever De Sotos to life. Dr. De Soto’s directives as the surgery proceeds are clipped; the descriptions of Fox’s despicable character matter of fact. Fox’s voice is sickly, and his sotto voce pangs of conscience slimy. Tucci also accentuates Steig’s remarkable language—for example, the secret formula that might “permeate the dentine”! A.R. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine