Dr. De Soto, a mouse dentist, and his assistant, Mrs. De Soto, make a nearly fatal error in judgment when they agree to accept an ailing fox as a new patient. Bright full color illustrations fully integrated with the text add humor to a remarkably well-written, imaginative story in which the De Sotos out fox the fox. Outstanding in concept and development. (Winner, CCBC Mock Caldecott Straw Vote) (4-11 years)

Dr. De Soto, a mouse dentist, copes with the toothaches of various animals except those with a taste for mice, until the day a fox comes to him in great pain. Since he's a mouse, Doctor De Soto refuses to treat "dangerous" animals--that is, animals who have a taste for mice. But one day a fox shows up and begs for relief from the tooth that's killing him. How can the kindhearted De Sotos turn him away? But how can they make sure that the fox doesn't give in to his baser instincts once his tooth is fixed? Those clever De Sotos will find a way.