Teeth

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

Billy loves his dog, but gives him too many treats and as a result his pet dog ends up with a bad tooth that the vet has to remove. The dog should not be given chocolate and he also needs to have his teeth brushed. A dog needs his teeth to eat, chew on things and keep his tongue in place. All this care and proper food give Billy's dog healthy teeth and gums. Now the story moves to our protagonist, who has a wobbly tooth and is panicked. The lesson here is that human children lose their baby teeth and get a new set of adult teeth. All teeth should be brushed with fluoride toothpaste twice a day to remove plaque and sugar, which can damage teeth and gums. There are illustrations showing the components of a tooth and the various types of teeth humans have in their mouths. More lessons are imparted about getting a new toothbrush frequently, not sharing a toothbrush and getting regular dental checkups. The book concludes with "Notes for Parents and Teachers." The note summarizes the story and points out what the message is. This title and others in the "Looking After Me" series meet K-4 health education standards in Canada and the United States. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2

Story first, discussion after is the premise of these books, and it is successfully executed. Precepts about health and safety are presented through the plot and character development-in Clean, Kurt and Karim hate washing until they visit the zoo and see that even animals keep themselves tidy. Some stories take refreshingly unexpected approaches. In Teeth, instead of a cautionary tale about a child getting cavities, the book describes Marta's dog losing a tooth from all the dog biscuits she fed him. Gordon pumps up the humor with his illustrations, particularly the dirty or daredevil children whose antics are reminiscent of the "Calvin and Hobbs" cartoon strip. The closing questions and activities offer a number of opportunities for extended (and fun) discourse.