Zog and the Flying Doctors, written by Julia Donaldson, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Kaleigh R.
Summary: There are three main characters who take part in helping sick or injured creatures and people around them no matter the conditions. The flying doctors are Gadabout the Great, Zog, and Princess Pearl. They give people medicine, conduct operations and they take the time to listen to their patients. They help a lot of people on their adventures. One day, Princess Pearl is told by her uncle that she cannot be a doctor because she is a princess and must do princess things. He locks her up in the castle and isolates her from her two friends. She is devastated that she cannot do what she loves to do because of societal expectations. That is, until her uncle becomes extremely ill and no other doctor can figure out what is wrong. Princess Pearl thinks she might have the cure. She sends her two friends to collect the necessary ingredients for the medicine. She makes the cure and gives it to her uncle and thus heals him from his illness almost instantly. This leads him to have a change of heart and state that “Princesses can be doctors”. Princess pearl is then allowed to leave the castle and reunite with Zog and Gadabout who continue to go on adventures to heal and nurture others.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This could be a good STEM book because the story makes it clear that princesses (girls) can be doctors. No one should tell them otherwise. This book also teaches readers to be kind to others. For example, the main characters go around helping everyone even if it is storming or cold. Even though the uncle felt that Princess Pearl should not be a doctor she still cared for him and helped him. It teaches to always be kind to others even if they tried to discourage you. Another lesson that can be learned from the book is to always do what you love even if others tell you not to. Princess Pearl continued to be a doctor even though she was told she cannot be one. The illustrations are cartoon-like and are colorful and inviting, set in a European inspired kingdom. Readers will have a lot to discover within the illustrations. This is a good fantasy book with a bit of realistic medicine. Readers will enjoy the rhyming text. It would be a good addition to a school library.