The Tooth Fairy

by Shirley Barber

The secrets of the Tooth Fairy are revealed in this fairytale.

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy, Childrens, Fae, Sequential Art, Fiction

Hardcover

First published May 22, 1996

About the author

Shirley Barber grew up in the Channel Islands, where she gained her lifelong love of nature and painting. A third generation artist, she always dreamed of writing and illustrating children's books. But this dream did not come true until she had moved to Australia and her children had grown up.

Her first picture book Martha B. Rabbit - The Fairies' Cook was published by The Five Mile Press in 1988, and became an instant success. The following year it won first prize in the prestigious Critica Erba awards at the Bologna Children's Fair - an extraordinary achievemnt for a first book.

To date, Shirely Barber books have sold in ecess of 10 million copies. They have been published in over 70 international editions in North America, Europe and Asia. Shirley's best-selling fairy title in Australia is The Tooth Fairy closely followed by The Enchanted Woods and Rainbow Magic. Shirley lives quiety in rural Victoria and continues to write and illustrate delightful storybooks enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Reviews

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was little my Nana had a copy of Shirley Barber's Rainbow Magic, a book that I read, and had read to me many, many times. Over the years I have managed to find copies of most of her books, but this one was always hard to find for some reason. I was very excited to come across it today in my local Hospice shop and to finally be able to read it.

It's a lovely, simple story with Shirley's Barber's classic fairy illustrations. Her take on The Tooth Fairy is a nice one -the fairies plant the teeth, which grow into stars. When I was a kid I thought that the fairies used the teeth they collected to build a castle/kingdom -- which is actually a really creepy idea, and I think Shirley Barber's take is better. Mine sounds like a horror story!

Her artwork tends to feature lots of fairies, flowers, usually some cats, pixies, mice, ladybugs etc. It's very beautiful and perfectly suited to her books. When I was younger I would look at them for hours - there are so many wonderful details and I enjoy them just as much now as I did then.

[Brittany Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my childhood, so I was so elated when I found someone selling a copy on Facebook Marketplace. I couldn’t wait to give it to my daughter and read it to her. I remember the beautiful illustrations when I was younger and they probably what led me to have a fairy themed 5th birthday party! I hope my daughter enjoys it just as much when she is a little bit older.

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreamy pictures of a fantastical fairy land.

[Makeda Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

MAH CHILDHOOD

[Alicia Lovely · Rating 3 out of 5]

I purely purchased this for the illustrations because they are BEAUTIFUL. I remember my mum buying this book for me when I was little and I remember really loving it but I’m not sure what happened to it and I really wanted to re-live it!
It was a quick read and it’s not the most amazingly written children’s book, but the idea of baby teeth being planted in the sky by fairies so that they can become stars is just so cute and the book is so gorgeously illustrated.

[Emily Capri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favourite books growing up. I still have it and am about to pass it down to my niece, I'm hoping she loves it as much as I did/do. The full 2-page spread of the boat in the sky when they plant the tooth is easily my favourite page! This book is so beautiful and will forever hold a special place in my heart 🩵

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice story time book read.

[Lissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this!!

The art is so gorgeous!!!! And the story pretty solid. I definitely remember this one being a favourite of mine as a kid.

[Lupe Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to teach Spanish words, sharing and cultural differences.

[August Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always loved Shirley Barber’s work. The illustrations in these books are always absolutely gorgeous. The stories aren’t always that great, but the illustrations… stunning

[Katie Pagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this book! My sister and I each received a copy, since each book came with a velvet pouch for one's lost teeth, to put under your pillow. It became a tradition that Mom would read this book to us each time one of us lost a tooth, right before bedtime. Then we'd put our tooth in its pouch, put it under the pillow, and wait for the Tooth Fairy to take it away. The illustrations were captivating; I was still looking at them years after I lost my last baby tooth.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story, but a bit too short and not an interesting or enchanting story I think. Her artwork is amazing as per usual though!

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book as a child, because I thought the illustrations were so pretty. The story was all right, but I was really enchanted by the detailed pictures and rich colors.

[Kate Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all Shirley Barber books. the art work is amazing!

[Alex Ramage · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favourite childhood books, growing up. I loved it.