Dr. Squash is a gentle old man who helps take care of dolls, teddy bears, and other toys when they get sick. Whenever one of them comes down with an ailment or has an accident, Dr. Squash is there on the spot. The toys trust him wholeheartedly, and he loves them in return. When Doctor Squash gets sick at the end, the toys take care of him and help him get well.

I give this story five stars because it takes me back to when I was a kid. I LOVED dolls and still do. I really liked the fact that this little man is a generous and kind soul, and boys, especially, have a positive role model if they read this book. They can associate happiness with being kind and caring. Too often, when the word "masculine" comes to mind, many of us are guilty of thinking of a tough guy who lacks sensitivity. Still, to this day, there are gender norms. I also liked how there is some medical terminology used, such as "splint" and "prescription," and "splint" is defined to the reader. The author also incorporates sound advice when Dr. Squash tells the rag doll not to eat green persimmons. There is even a part in the book that says that the shots did not hurt "much more than a mosquito bite." Shots can be frightening but can seem less daunting if discussed in this manner. Kids are learning new things while reading something lighthearted. Finally, I also loved how the toys all work together to make Dr. Squash well again. If someone helps us, then we should do the same for him/her. What a fantastic book! ( )