April and Esme Tooth Fairies by Bob Graham

April is a seven-year-old tooth fairy about to head out on her first tooth collection.  But first she has to convince her parents that she is old enough to go out with just her little sister for company.  Soon the two of them are headed out into the starry night with a coin in their sack that will be exchanged for the tooth.  Their mother cautioned that that the boy must never see them, that’s the most important thing.  After diving for the tooth in a glass of water, April and Esme are stunned to see the boy wake up and look right at them.  But all is not lost, as with quick thinking the two of them save the day.  They then return home again tired but very proud of their success. 

Graham has such a great touch with stories.  He marries modern touches with classic tropes.  Here the father of the tooth fairy family has a pony tail along with his wings.  His wife sports a tattoo on her arm that is visible when she’s reading in the bath.  At the same time, the family lives in a tiny home near a hollow trunk of a tree, surrounded by thistle and mushrooms.  But turn your head and you will see the trucks on the M42.  Graham also weaves humor into the story, both through the juxtaposition of modern and classic, but also in small moments in the book.  One of my favorites is when Esme pauses to consider taking a grandmother’s false teeth too. 

A story sure to resonate with modern children that is gentle, sweet and toothsome.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from library copy.