teeth

Alan’s Big Scary Teeth by Jarvis

| Tasha

Alans Big Scary Teeth by Jarvis

Alan’s Big Scary Teeth by Jarvis (InfoSoup)

Alan is known for the way that he is able to scare the other animals with his big scary teeth. He spends time each day caring for his teeth and practicing his scary faces in the mirror. Then he heads into the jungle, snapping, growling and declaring how scary his teeth are. The other animals are terrified. Then Alan goes home, relaxes and takes out his false teeth. One day, Barry the beaver discovers Alan’s teeth in their hiding place. He takes them away and leaves Alan without his teeth. Alan tries to scare the other animals, but they just laugh at his toothless threats. Alan was terribly sad, though the other animals were relieved not to be scared anymore. Maybe Alan can learn some skills beyond scaring others?

Jarvis writes in a very engaging way that is perfect for sharing aloud. The entire book gallops along at a fast pace with plenty of action and humor. The reveal of Alan having false teeth is nicely timed, so that the listening audience will be just as surprised as the animals are. The playful tone of the book is helped by the humor throughout with surprises adding to the fun.

Jarvis’ illustrations are childlike and bold. The backgrounds on the illustrations show jungle lushness without being overwhelming or dark. The illustrations have just as much charm as the story itself, creating funny moments and showing products like “Snap Snap Toothpaste.” The entire book works as a seamless package with the illustrations skillfully supporting the story.

This picture book is sure to get toothy grins from any audience you share it with. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from library copy.

 

 

The Tooth: A Big-Hearted Book

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The Tooth by Avi Slodovnick, illustrated by Manon Gauthier

First published in Canada, this book speaks to the issues of plenty and need.  Marissa has to go to the dentist because her tooth hurts from eating too much candy.  On the way through the city streets, she notices a man sitting on a grate on the sidewalk to keep warm.  Once inside the waiting room, Marissa heads to the window and watches the people passing the man.  Some leave coins but most completely ignore him.  When Marissa goes in to the dentist, her tooth has to be removed.  So she gets it to take home with her, ready for the Toothfairy to get it from under her pillow.  But Marissa has another idea and she gives her tooth to the man on the sidewalk so that he can get the coins from the Toothfairy.  She also acknowledges that it is just a beginning because he doesn’t have a pillow to put the tooth under.

Slodovnick’s book emphasizes not only the divide between the haves and have nots, but also the way that we ignore needs right under our own feet.  Marissa is a naïve character which allows her to ask questions that will interest other children and offer a solution that is simple but also complex.  This is a book that gently opens the door to discussion about what a single person can do to make a difference.

Gauthier’s illustrations have a modern edge to them.  The city is depicted as a gray towering presence while the main characters pop in color against the gray.  The homeless man is also shown in color though the other people on the street are the same gray as the city itself. 

A book sure to get children talking, this would work well in a unit about kindness, charity or helping.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy received from Kane Miller.

April and Esme Tooth Fairies

| Tasha

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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.

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Smile

| Tasha

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Based on personal experiences, this graphic novel will speak to those of us who are teenagers and those who have survived that age.  Raina just wants to be a normal kid.  But one evening, she falls when running, tripping and damaging her front teeth.  This sets her on a journey of braces, dental surgery, and headgear.  On top of her dental issues, Raina also deals with the normal teen issues of friends, bullies, and crushes on boys.  Readers get to watch Raina grow up from a sixth grader to a high school student as she learns about acceptance, self-esteem, and the importance of good dentists.

Written with lots of humor, this book has a feel for what makes being a teenager both funny and painful.  Telgemeier’s writing is refreshing and fast paced.  Her art is friendly and silly.  With her art and writing combined, she has created a book with a fresh feel that has universal appeal.  While speaking of her own issues with teeth, she speaks to all of our strange teen situations and what each of us dealt with or is dealing with. 

A fresh, funny look at being a teen, this book will easily find a readership and be eagerly passed from person to person.  Appropriate for ages 11-14.

Reviewed from Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) where most of the illustrations were not yet in color.