Tabitha's Terrifically Tough Tooth (Phyllis Fogelman Books) - Hardcover

K-Gr 1-A welcome debut. Tabitha tries to help her wobbly tooth fall out, but nothing works. Dancing only makes her tired; with a string tied around its middle, her tortoise takes two steps and falls asleep; her dad's Venus flytrap captures-a fly. Fed up and out of ideas, Tabitha realizes, "There'd be no visit from the Tooth Fairy tonight." Then, she sneezes, and out pops her tooth. At the end, her outstretched arms and grin say it all, with only a note to the Tooth Fairy, "Please take care of my tough tooth." The understated yet focused text captures the desire, determination, and disappointment that can surround this powerful event in a child's life. While the text provides the content, the illustrations add the pizzazz. Each two-page spread is bold and aggressive, with solid expanses of deep, muted colors. White is used to a minimum, effectively allowing Tabitha's teeth to reign supreme. A free-flowing black line delineates each image. Although Tabitha's dad talks to her, no adults are depicted; her fat cat plays a central supporting role, watching or participating in every scene to deadpan comic effect. This book, with its focus front and center on Tabitha's dangling dilemma, creates an invigorating, warm experience for readers.

Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.