Losing a tooth becomes a right of passage for a child,
accompanied by a lot of questions. What replaces the tooth? What happens to the
old teeth? Is the Tooth Fairy real?
Read more: Time for the tooth fairy?
Here are some great books for helping your child learn
about this age-old tradition:
The Tooth Book
By: Theo LeSieg
Illustrated by: Joe Mathieu
Age level: 0-3
Who has teeth? Everyone from people to the zebra! The man
behind Dr. Seuss tackles questions and answers about teeth in lively rhythm and
rhyme.
Dear Tooth Fairy
By Alan Durant
Illustrated by: Vanessa Cabban
Age level: 3-6
Because Holly is reluctant to give up her newly fallen
out tooth, she starts to correspond with the Tooth Fairy, asking questions that
trouble many children (such as what happens to the teeth). The Tooth Fairy
responds to all questions in this elegantly illustrated book.
Throw Your Tooth on the Roof: Tooth Traditions from
Around the World
By: Selby Beeler
Illustrated by: G. Brian Karas
Age level: 3-6
Lighthearted illustrations provide just the right tone
for brief looks at what happens when children lose their teeth in various
places around the world. The title indicates what is done in Korea while an
American child awaits the tooth fairy's exchange.
You Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy?
By: Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt
Illustrated by: David Slonim
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader
This is not the Tooth Fairy of old; this tooth fairy
defies old conceptions of the work, and how this spunky character gets around
(actually by way of turbo-charged surfboard). Fast and funny, the Tooth Fairy
here will knock down any spritely misconceptions as she tickles the funny bone.
How Many Teeth?
By: Paul Showers
Illustrated by: True Kelley
Age Level: 6-9
Babies don't have teeth as they don't need them yet. But
as children grow, teeth grow in and then fall out to be replaced by adult
teeth. This informative, appealing, and easy science book is just right to
answer early questions about teeth and dental hygiene — and may encourage even
more questions.
Open Wide: Tooth School Inside
By Laurie Keller
Age level: 6-9
Dr. Flossman welcomes his class of incisors, canines,
etc. (appropriately for each of the typical mouth's 32 teeth), providing actual
information in a wacky, slightly abstract combination of art and story.