Teeth feature large in the lives of small children from baby teething troubles to lost teeth, tooth fairies and fillings. Not surprisingly, there are quite a number of books dealing with the topic. Here are some of our favourites.
Joey Goes to the Dentist
by Candace Vittorini and Sara Boyer-Quick
(Jessica Kingsley Publishers)
Children with Asperger Syndrome usually find changes to their routines upsetting; they like to have a set pattern to their day and any alteration to this can cause stress. In addition, many children with AS are highly sensitive to physical sensations – sounds, taste, light and the invasion of their personal space – all of which are an inevitable part of a visit to the dentist. However, these children can be helped by knowing in advance about any proposed change and wherever possible, the details of what to expect.
In this photographic picture book, young Joey, who himself has AS, provides a straightforward explanation of how he prepares for and subsequently pays a visit to his dentist. His explanation encompasses information about the dentist and his ‘helper’, the instruments used, sounds and tastes, the cleaning process and very importantly, his own coping strategies.
(reviewed by Jill Bennett)
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My wobbly tooth must not ever NEVER fall out
by Lauren Child
(Puffin)
When Charlie’s little sister, Lola, gets her first wobbly tooth, she doesn’t want it to fall out. But then she hears about the tooth fairy and decides she wants it out as quickly as possible so she can buy a toy giraffe. Unfortunately she mislays the tooth before she can put it under her pillow, but Charlie thinks of a way round the problem. Written and illustrated in Lauren Child’s distinctive style, this book accurately captures the traumas of this stage of life. It should reassure those who’ve not yet lost a tooth, amuse those who have and delight Charlie and Lola fans.
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Dear Tooth Fairy
by Alan Durant and Vanessa Cabban
(Walker Books)
When Holly’s tooth falls out, she doesn’t want to part with it so she puts some plastic vampire fangs under her pillow instead. In the morning, the plastic teeth are still there but they’ve been joined by a tiny envelope. So starts a regular correspondence with the tooth fairy which finally
persuades Holly to part with the real thing. There are real envelopes on the pages for readers to open and take out the fairy messages inside. These are written written in tiny writing – Holly uses a magnifying glass at one point in the story and children may enjoy doing the same. The whole effect is delightful, particularly for girls who’ll be attracted by the pink and gold cover.
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Titus’s Troublesome Tooth
by Linda Jennings and Gwyneth Williamson
(Little Tiger Press)
Titus is a goat with plenty of character and a voracious appetite. When toothache strikes, all the animals in the farm try to help until, finally, the threat of the vet leads Titus to solve the problem himself. Great fun to read aloud with amusing illustrations.
Ages 3-6
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Dave and the Tooth Fairy
by Verna Allette Wilkins, illustrated by Paul Hunt
(Tamarind)
When David’s tooth comes out, he really loses it. Determined not to lose his money from the Tooth Fairy as well, he puts Grandad’s false teeth under his pillow instead and thereby creates a big problem for the modern, computer wise fairy who visits in the night. An enjoyable story selected for the National Curriculum reading list. Also a useful multicultural text as all the characters, including the fairy, are black.
Ages 5 – 8
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