I love a great book by a debut author.  Little Doctor and the Fearless Beast is the debut picture book by authorstrator Sophie Gilmore.  What a charming book it is indeed.

The illustrations are lush and detailed, transporting the reader to Little Doctor’s clinic among the crocodiles.  Full of fantasy and fearless beasts, Sophie Gilmore creates a little corner of a special world all for the crocodiles and Little Doctor.

Beyond the gorgeous illustrations, Little Doctor and the Fearless Beast reads just like a folktale with adventure, suspense and a message in the end.  Sophie Gilmore weaves the words to the story so elegantly, it lends itself to being shared with a group of children, and even adults, in a read aloud, or better yet as a story in the oral tradition.  When I was reading Little Doctor I was transported back to my childhood. It is a story that reminds me of my uncle who is a fantastic storyteller and would never spare the frightening details, mesmerizing us all.  Little Doctor and the Fearless Beast will do the same. It will captivate and entertain. I know when you share this story with children, you will have the quietest group as they will be taken in right from the first page.  In the end there are subtle messages about caring for creatures big and small as well as demonstrating how trust can make you brave and daring. I’m curious if the author had a similar experience of enjoying storytelling as a child as I feel like Little Doctor has all the makings of a classic.