Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth by Alison McGhee

Illustrated by Harry Bliss. 40 p., Harcourt, 2004. Starting first grade can be scary, and it often coincide with losing a tooth. In this story, a little girl is frightened when she starts first grade - she has a loose tooth, and a second-grader has told her that the very innocuous-looking first-grade teacher, Mrs. Watson, is really an alien who steals her students' baby teeth. She decides that the only way to get through first grade is to keep her mouth closed. This isn't easy, since although she misses her kindergarten teacher, she's excited to try first-grade activities. When Mrs. Watson asks if anyone has a loose tooth, another child says he does. The girl tries to warn him about Mrs. Watson's propensity to steal teeth, and in the process, her loose tooth falls out. She discovers that not only does Mrs. Watson not steal kids' teeth, but also, she gives candy to kids who lose them. On the bus on the way home that day, she's able to let the second-grader know that she's onto her. Expressively illustrated in ink and watercolor, this story humorously addresses kids' fears about both first grade and losing a tooth at school. Ages 6-7

Tooth Fairy's First Night by Anne Bowen

Illustrated by Jon Berkeley. 28 p., Carolrhoda, 2005.

Here’s a story about losing a tooth from a tooth fairy’s point of view. Sally is seven years old, and is becoming a tooth fairy just like her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. To be a real tooth fairy, she has to get her first tooth. Having been advised to be patient, to look on the bright side of things, to get that tooth, and to be sure not to wake a child, she flies off into the night. Under the child’s pillow, instead of a tooth, she finds a note telling her that she’ll have to find the tooth using clues the child has left for her. As she finds each clue, she uses her foremothers’ advice, and she finally finds the tooth. And she leaves the child with her own treasure hunt. Accompanied by lovely, night-hued watercolor illustrations, this humorous, encouraging story shows children a new side of losing a tooth.

Ages 5-8

Nice Try, Tooth Fairy by Mary W. Olson

Illustrated by Katherine Tillotson. 28 p., Simon & Schuster, 2000.

This story is told as a series of letters from Emma to the tooth fairy. When Emma's grandfather comes to visit, she asks the tooth fairy to return the first tooth she lost, so she can show it to him. The tooth fairy returns many other kinds of teeth, including an elephant's tusk and a skunk's tooth, before finally returning the right one. Some children might be spooked by the animals coming to Emma's room at night to reclaim their teeth, or by the idea that the tooth fairy would be so disorganized. But for other kids, this playful story may enhance the fun of losing a tooth.

Ages 4-7
Main character's cultural background: European American
Cultural context: European American

The Wobbly Tooth by Nancy Evans Cooney

Illustrated by Marylin Hafner. 32 pages. Putnam, 1978.

It can be frustrating to wait for a loose tooth to come out. Elizabeth Ann has one that just won't come out, not matter what she does. Even when she tries to forget about it, she can't help thinking about it. Finally, during a baseball game with friends, she is able to forget about it - and it comes out. Children will feel reassured that even a stubborn loose tooth will come out eventually.

Ages: 4-7
Cultural Context: multicultural

Wobbly Tooth