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Throw Your Tooth on the Roof: Tooth Traditions from Around the World – A Picture Book Celebrating Multicultural Customs for Children
What do you do when you lose a tooth? Delightful descriptions and cheerful art celebrate the surprising things that children do around the world when they lose a tooth.
When you lose a tooth, do you put it under your pillow and wait for the tooth fairy? In Botswana, children throw their teeth onto the roof. In Afghanistan they drop their teeth down mouse holes. From Egypt to Venezuela, Spain to Korea losing a tooth is an exciting milestone that’s honored with unique traditions. Discover the variety of customs from every corner of the globe in this charming picture book by Selby B. Beeler with whimsical illustrations by G. Brian Karas.
When you lose a tooth, do you put it under your pillow and wait for the tooth fairy? In Botswana, children throw their teeth onto the roof. In Afghanistan they drop their teeth down mouse holes. From Egypt to Venezuela, Spain to Korea losing a tooth is an exciting milestone that’s honored with unique traditions. Discover the variety of customs from every corner of the globe in this charming picture book by Selby B. Beeler with whimsical illustrations by G. Brian Karas.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
December 16, 2009
I’m heaping very high praise on this book.
I would have adored it as a child and I love it now too. Perhaps I’m easily entertained, but I found this book fascinating.
At the front there’s a map of the world with many countries listed. Then, as the What did you do with your baby teeth? traditions get told, they’re divided into sections of the world and then countries, and sometimes subcultures within countries.
It’s amazing how often roofs, mice, burying in the ground, and pillows are involved, but there are many, many different variations. Perhaps my favorite tradition is the turning of baby teeth into some form of jewelry for the child.
I grew up knowing about the tooth fairy and the placing of teeth under pillows. My mother had to get creative because I was an extremely light sleeper so my teeth went into a glass of water in the evening and in the morning the teeth were gone and a quarter took its place, and the water was magically turned to a pretty color. Via food coloring I learned. So, I thought my mother created a brand new tradition. It turns out the tradition is almost identical to the typical fate of baby teeth in Sweden.
Some of the illustrations are very amusing. Some of the text is poignant. For instance, in one place where a mouse comes and takes the tooth and leaves a coin, it’s said that some mice and poorer than others.
At the end of the book some information is given about the structure and uses of our teeth.
At the very end, the author describes how she asked people all over the world what happened to their baby teeth and that she only included a small fraction of their answers in this book. That’s my only quibble: I’d have loved a more comprehensive accounting, and I would have as a child too, but what’s included is very interesting.
Much thanks to Goodreads friend Abigail for finding this book!
I would have adored it as a child and I love it now too. Perhaps I’m easily entertained, but I found this book fascinating.
At the front there’s a map of the world with many countries listed. Then, as the What did you do with your baby teeth? traditions get told, they’re divided into sections of the world and then countries, and sometimes subcultures within countries.
It’s amazing how often roofs, mice, burying in the ground, and pillows are involved, but there are many, many different variations. Perhaps my favorite tradition is the turning of baby teeth into some form of jewelry for the child.
I grew up knowing about the tooth fairy and the placing of teeth under pillows. My mother had to get creative because I was an extremely light sleeper so my teeth went into a glass of water in the evening and in the morning the teeth were gone and a quarter took its place, and the water was magically turned to a pretty color. Via food coloring I learned. So, I thought my mother created a brand new tradition. It turns out the tradition is almost identical to the typical fate of baby teeth in Sweden.
Some of the illustrations are very amusing. Some of the text is poignant. For instance, in one place where a mouse comes and takes the tooth and leaves a coin, it’s said that some mice and poorer than others.
At the end of the book some information is given about the structure and uses of our teeth.
At the very end, the author describes how she asked people all over the world what happened to their baby teeth and that she only included a small fraction of their answers in this book. That’s my only quibble: I’d have loved a more comprehensive accounting, and I would have as a child too, but what’s included is very interesting.
Much thanks to Goodreads friend Abigail for finding this book!
November 5, 2018
Ever wonder how the children in other countries dispose of their baby teeth, when they fall out? Wonder no more, for Selby Beeler has recorded the many folk customs and beliefs concerning teeth to be found around the world. Here young readers will discover that children in many countries - Canada, the United States, Denmark, England - believe in the Tooth Fairy (the Danes call her Tand Feen); while the children of other nations believe that a rat or mouse - El Ratón in Mexico, El Ratón Miguelito in Colombia, Ratoncito Perez in Spain - fetches their tooth away, leaving money or a gift in its place.
In some parts of the world, children are instructed to throw their tooth on the roof, or to bury it in the ground. In many of the nations of Asia, there is the belief that adult teeth will grow in the direction of the baby teeth they are replacing, leading to upper teeth being thrown on the ground, and lower teeth being thrown on the roof.
Less of a storybook than a picture-book encyclopedia, in which each country's tradition is given in brief synopsis form, Throw Your Tooth on the Roof still manages to be an engaging book. Young readers will be fascinated by the differences and similarities between the various traditions recorded. I can't say I myself cared for G. Brian Karas's accompanying illustrations, which were a little too cartoonish for my taste, but I suspect some young readers will respond to their humor. All in all, a fun little tour of the tooth traditions of the world!
In some parts of the world, children are instructed to throw their tooth on the roof, or to bury it in the ground. In many of the nations of Asia, there is the belief that adult teeth will grow in the direction of the baby teeth they are replacing, leading to upper teeth being thrown on the ground, and lower teeth being thrown on the roof.
Less of a storybook than a picture-book encyclopedia, in which each country's tradition is given in brief synopsis form, Throw Your Tooth on the Roof still manages to be an engaging book. Young readers will be fascinated by the differences and similarities between the various traditions recorded. I can't say I myself cared for G. Brian Karas's accompanying illustrations, which were a little too cartoonish for my taste, but I suspect some young readers will respond to their humor. All in all, a fun little tour of the tooth traditions of the world!
April 12, 2022
Here's an enjoyable look at what children all over the world do when they lose a tooth. Most of the traditions involve getting rid of the old tooth in exchange for something else - frequently a shiny new tooth. In a surprising number of countries the old tooth is taken away by some sort of rodent!
The book concludes with a couple of pages all about teeth.
With illustrations by one of my favorite artists - G. Brian Karas.
The book concludes with a couple of pages all about teeth.
With illustrations by one of my favorite artists - G. Brian Karas.
June 23, 2023
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“Throw Your Tooth On The Roof”, 1998, is a wonderful exploration of culture by Selby B. Beeler. When she discussed the tooth fairy with her daughter, Selby’s Brazilian friend was puzzled. If the tooth fairy was unheard of to her, what did her family do with teeth? I enjoyed the background story of her idea. She wrote to cultural centres and canvassed places where ethnicity gathered, such as airports and universities. I love that everyone willingly answered Selby’s unusual question. Tooth-growing is a standard chapter common to us all. She expresses appreciation for everyone’s friendliness and humour.
This book is most certainly informative to all of us but is geared for little children. I will give it to my toddler niece, who is soon to exchange her first baby teeth. I know she and my brother’s family will find this unique treasure fun! The last several pages are genuinely educational in a scholarly way because G. Brian Karas drew views of the mouth, that name all of our teeth types. I am certain these biological details have never been paired with the international process of tooth-losing and I truly recommend that children’s dentists carry this duo’s book!
The drawings on every page are divided by continent with their cultural groupings: for instance South America, Africa, and Asia. It is interesting that only Canada, England, and the United States conjure the tooth fairy. Most countries do have a tradition pertaining to gift-giving, or the good fortune of new teeth being straight and strong. However most of the gift and luck traditions are associated with a mouse! The most popular practice, more than leaving teeth under our pillow, is to throw them over a roof! Some bury teeth, a few other animals are wish-bearers but our tooth fairy is in the minority.
“Throw Your Tooth On The Roof”, 1998, is a wonderful exploration of culture by Selby B. Beeler. When she discussed the tooth fairy with her daughter, Selby’s Brazilian friend was puzzled. If the tooth fairy was unheard of to her, what did her family do with teeth? I enjoyed the background story of her idea. She wrote to cultural centres and canvassed places where ethnicity gathered, such as airports and universities. I love that everyone willingly answered Selby’s unusual question. Tooth-growing is a standard chapter common to us all. She expresses appreciation for everyone’s friendliness and humour.
This book is most certainly informative to all of us but is geared for little children. I will give it to my toddler niece, who is soon to exchange her first baby teeth. I know she and my brother’s family will find this unique treasure fun! The last several pages are genuinely educational in a scholarly way because G. Brian Karas drew views of the mouth, that name all of our teeth types. I am certain these biological details have never been paired with the international process of tooth-losing and I truly recommend that children’s dentists carry this duo’s book!
The drawings on every page are divided by continent with their cultural groupings: for instance South America, Africa, and Asia. It is interesting that only Canada, England, and the United States conjure the tooth fairy. Most countries do have a tradition pertaining to gift-giving, or the good fortune of new teeth being straight and strong. However most of the gift and luck traditions are associated with a mouse! The most popular practice, more than leaving teeth under our pillow, is to throw them over a roof! Some bury teeth, a few other animals are wish-bearers but our tooth fairy is in the minority.
February 1, 2011
A charming book of disgusting milk tooth traditions from around the world. Reminds me of Pratchett's book Hogfather in that many of these teeth are being taken away or protected. There must be some powerful universal hoodoo associated with this. Mice seem to be in charge of collection in many places, which makes sense as they are rodents and have the continuously growing teeth. I'm not sure what throwing the tooth on the roof represents, but it seems to be popular. And, I don't know Danish, but I suspect that the tooth fairy "named Tand Feen" is actually named "Tooth Fairy." Germany needs to get on the stick. Apparently, they don't do anything special with baby teeth which just seals their fate for me as the Most Boring People in the World. Before anyone complains, I should point out that both sides of my family are German and no noticeable personality developed until they emigrated. If anyone knows of any interesting tooth traditions from Germany, please let me know.
For additional reading, I suggest I lost my tooth in Africa by Penda Diakité which is a really cute story with great illustrations.
For additional reading, I suggest I lost my tooth in Africa by Penda Diakité which is a really cute story with great illustrations.
September 13, 2019
I like the fact that a large chunk of the world seems to agree that rodents are the ones who deal with baby teeth that have fallen out. (That or they gotta go on/over the roof.) Why did we decide to have it be a fairy doing it?? Six-year-old me would have been so down for a rat to take her teeth away.
A very cool read!
A very cool read!
September 15, 2012
My niece, nephew, and I enjoyed Throw Your Tooth on the Roof. My niece and nephew both liked learning about what kids from various countries/cultures do with their teeth when they fall out, and my nephew, like me, was fascinated by how many cultures believe in a "Tooth Mouse" rather than a Tooth Fairy. Really, just the kind of book that curious little kids are apt to enjoy--it is, after all, a story about them and a pretty big rite of passage in their lives.
I also found the book interesting from an adult perspective. Many of the South American countries believe in a "Tooth Mouse," as does Spain. Canada, the United States, and Australia believe in a tooth fairy, as does England. Not only is Throw Your Tooth on the Roof a story of lost teeth and the now-what-do-I-do-with-this-thing aftermath, it is a story of colonization as evidenced through beliefs and traditions.
I also loved that a lot of unexpected nations were examined here. Mauritania, Denmark, Tajikistan, Benin, Bangladesh, Cambodia, just to name a very few. The author also took pains to address some native or aboriginal beliefs, among them Navajo, Aboriginal Australians, and Maori, and where differences exist between urban and rural beliefs in a single nation, the author presented both.
Throw Your Tooth on the Roof was a well done book, and it has inspired my niece to try throwing her next lost tooth on the roof of her house. The Tooth Fairy might enjoy a night off.
I also found the book interesting from an adult perspective. Many of the South American countries believe in a "Tooth Mouse," as does Spain. Canada, the United States, and Australia believe in a tooth fairy, as does England. Not only is Throw Your Tooth on the Roof a story of lost teeth and the now-what-do-I-do-with-this-thing aftermath, it is a story of colonization as evidenced through beliefs and traditions.
I also loved that a lot of unexpected nations were examined here. Mauritania, Denmark, Tajikistan, Benin, Bangladesh, Cambodia, just to name a very few. The author also took pains to address some native or aboriginal beliefs, among them Navajo, Aboriginal Australians, and Maori, and where differences exist between urban and rural beliefs in a single nation, the author presented both.
Throw Your Tooth on the Roof was a well done book, and it has inspired my niece to try throwing her next lost tooth on the roof of her house. The Tooth Fairy might enjoy a night off.
February 10, 2018
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
Copyright: 1998
Genre: Non-Fiction
Guided Reading Level: M
Lexile Measure: AD540L
DRA Level: 24
Grades: K-3
Synopsis: This book takes readers on a trip around the world to discover the surprising things children do when they lose a tooth. The author Selby Beeler spent many years traveling the globe collecting traditions, all of which are brought to life with charming illustrations. In India, children throw their teeth onto the roof and ask the sparrow to bring them a new one. In Russia, they drop their teeth down mouse holes, and in Yupik they wrap the tooth in food and feed it to the dog! Learning about the various traditions serves as a great launching point for a classroom discussion/unit about the meaning of traditions, and how cultures are the same and different. It’s a great way to integrate social studies and ELA using a topic that most young children are experiencing firsthand and love to talk about…losing their teeth!
Teaching Ideas:
1) There are many countries mentioned throughout. Choose any number of them to locate on a globe or world map. Read books with your student about several of the countries and/ or have older students research and write a brief report (or art project) highlighting other interesting traditions in that country. This could also potentially be completed in small groups giving students a chance to work collaboratively.
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.2
Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.7
Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations).
2) Write a letter to the Tooth Fairy or Tooth Mouse or Tooth Blackbird that explains what they think should happen to their tooth. Students can illustrate their letter with a picture.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.1
Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or name the book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply a reason for the opinion, and provide some sense of closure.
Copyright: 1998
Genre: Non-Fiction
Guided Reading Level: M
Lexile Measure: AD540L
DRA Level: 24
Grades: K-3
Synopsis: This book takes readers on a trip around the world to discover the surprising things children do when they lose a tooth. The author Selby Beeler spent many years traveling the globe collecting traditions, all of which are brought to life with charming illustrations. In India, children throw their teeth onto the roof and ask the sparrow to bring them a new one. In Russia, they drop their teeth down mouse holes, and in Yupik they wrap the tooth in food and feed it to the dog! Learning about the various traditions serves as a great launching point for a classroom discussion/unit about the meaning of traditions, and how cultures are the same and different. It’s a great way to integrate social studies and ELA using a topic that most young children are experiencing firsthand and love to talk about…losing their teeth!
Teaching Ideas:
1) There are many countries mentioned throughout. Choose any number of them to locate on a globe or world map. Read books with your student about several of the countries and/ or have older students research and write a brief report (or art project) highlighting other interesting traditions in that country. This could also potentially be completed in small groups giving students a chance to work collaboratively.
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.2
Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.7
Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations).
2) Write a letter to the Tooth Fairy or Tooth Mouse or Tooth Blackbird that explains what they think should happen to their tooth. Students can illustrate their letter with a picture.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.1
Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or name the book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply a reason for the opinion, and provide some sense of closure.
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October 20, 2025I think I read this when I was like 6 🙏
April 2, 2014
This book is a traditional literature book because it is a collection of tooth traditions and customs from different countries. The author has included only a portion of the hundreds of tooth stories that she has researched from around the world. The book is segmented into countries by continents. The end of the book contains vocabulary and illustrations related to teeth. In the United States, we put a baby tooth under our pillow and the tooth fairy takes it and leaves money. In Chile, a child gives their tooth to the mother and she makes it into a charm set in gold or silver. In Russia, children put their teeth in a mouse hole in the ground.
This book could be used to compare and contrast traditions in different countries. Student could be challenged to create and write about their own tooth tradition. It could also be integrated into a science unit on teeth and oral hygiene. I recommend this book for grades K-3.
This book could be used to compare and contrast traditions in different countries. Student could be challenged to create and write about their own tooth tradition. It could also be integrated into a science unit on teeth and oral hygiene. I recommend this book for grades K-3.
April 23, 2011
What a fun book filled with small snippets of colorful illustrations and text. Kind of tedious if the whole thing is read in one sitting but a superb collection of 2-3 sentence descriptions of customs around the world. My adult daughter and I got to laughing as I read these aloud and then she asked the "What did you do with my baby teeth?????" question. I had to admit they are in a little keepsake box in my dresser and she responded "Gross!!!". I guess that rules out having them dipped in gold and put on earring wires for her special Christmas gift!
People who enjoyed this one might find The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérezas much fun as I did.
People who enjoyed this one might find The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérezas much fun as I did.
February 5, 2009
This one is getting read over and over since we enjoy it so much. Last night my son combined a couple of traditions he tried out the S. African tradition of putting his front tooth in a slipper in the hopes of getting a present. Worked pretty well as El Raton (Mexico, Venezuela) left a dragon in exchange.
June 22, 2015
What in the world do you do with your tooth? What does everybody else in the world do with theirs? This book tells children, with adorable illustrations and clever blurbs arranged geographically about traditions everywhere. Fun way to teach kids how wide and varied the world is!
March 13, 2009
Worked well with a group of 1st graders who all had lost teeth and have been studying folktales.
I'm glad our tradition is the tooth fairy and I didn't have to grind teeth into my food!
I'm glad our tradition is the tooth fairy and I didn't have to grind teeth into my food!
October 30, 2011
I found this a bit repetitive, but a really fascinating idea. Who knew there were so many things you could do with tiny teeth?
January 5, 2012
Great book to explore different lost tooth customs. Very meaningful for first and second graders!
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May 22, 2022This book includes a wide range of places all over the globe and their traditions of losing teeth as a child. In the United States we know that when we lose a tooth it goes under the pillow and over night the tooth fairy comes and takes it and leave some coins or money. In other places around the worlds they do very different things. Some of the places around the world do things such as throwing the tooth on the roof, bury the tooth, wrap it in bread and feed it to a dog, turn it into an earring or necklace, and so much more! Some places have a chant or a song they sing when they perform some of these traditions. It is very interesting to see the different ways tooth traditions are around the world.
December 4, 2019
Summary: This book is about tooth traditions from around the world.In American culture there is the tooth fairy and the tooth is placed under the pillow at night. The book lists the countries by continent and gives information about the tooth tradition in each country.
Review: I really enjoyed this book because I like to learn about different cultures. I think it's important for children to know that we are all different. We are different and we should respect each other's differences.
Book connections: I could pair this with fairy tales from around the world.
Quote: "Teeth fall out every day, all over the world. What do you do with yours?"
Review: I really enjoyed this book because I like to learn about different cultures. I think it's important for children to know that we are all different. We are different and we should respect each other's differences.
Book connections: I could pair this with fairy tales from around the world.
Quote: "Teeth fall out every day, all over the world. What do you do with yours?"
January 10, 2023
In this unique book, the author explores tooth traditions from around the world. What do other children around the world do when they lose their teeth? You learn that some cultures follow the US tradition of putting the tooth under the pillow with hopes of a tooth fairy visit, but you also learn that in many cultures the traditions are different including throwing the tooth on the roof. Presented geographically around the world, the book provides a brief description of each tradition. Additional information about teeth including a glossary of terms is contained in the end pages of the book.
September 5, 2023
4.5 stars, 2nd grade. Many similarities between countries. In many countries like the United States, children put the tooth under the pillow, and sometimes get money in return. A mouse is involved in many countries. In some countries, the tooth is buried or thrown onto the roof. One of the more interesting ones for me was Turkey, where the parent bury the tooth in an area they want their child to follow, like a university garden, a hospital (to become a doctor, for example) or a soccer field.
A thorough discussion of teeth at the end of the book too.
A thorough discussion of teeth at the end of the book too.
January 6, 2021
A good choice for kids who are anxious about losing their first tooth. As advertised, this includes traditions from around the world grouped geographically, including native and aboriginal cultural practices. Two spreads at the end of the book discuss the structure and development of teeth and the anatomy of the mouth in language that is clear and appropriate for five- and six-year-olds. Karas's illustrations are, as always, sweet and kid-friendly.
June 19, 2017
I really loved this book! It gives a lot of different tooth traditions from around the world. Many of which just made you stop and wonder of the logic behind the traditions we all use today. It's a great book to read when your child begins to lose their teeth. My only complaint is that it started to get a bit repetitive towards the end.
September 14, 2017
Throw Your Tooth on the Roof was a very exciting book to read, seems perfect to read before bed. This book is about tooth traditions from around the world, a big majority of the traditions involved a mouse or rat while Canada and the U.S.A had the tooth fairy. Also, a lot of cultures had the tradition of throwing their tooth on the roof. I loved this book so much, I would definitely read this to younger family member. I think this would perfect for all ages.
January 14, 2020
It's cool to learn about other countries
I really really like .👍the animals in the book are:🐀🐦🐕🐟 and fairies, of course! The customs in other places are sometimes like in the USA but sometimes very different.
I really really like .👍the animals in the book are:🐀🐦🐕🐟 and fairies, of course! The customs in other places are sometimes like in the USA but sometimes very different.
September 16, 2023
What a cool book! People from around the world responded to the author's query about what tradition they have when a child loses a tooth. These traditions are assembled in this fun volume, followed by nonfiction facts on teeth.
July 19, 2017
Some of the countries stories are too similar in countries that have enough diversity that another tradition could be found and explored
December 2, 2017
Cool for the waiting room of a dentist! Fun facts about tooth traditions all around the world, very funny and interesting.
June 5, 2018
Really interesting, I learned a lot about different customs for baby teeth around the world.
July 30, 2019
This was a pretty good book. It's interesting to find out what children all over the world do with their teeth. It was cool how the children of Chile made their teeth into gold necklaces or earrings.
November 20, 2019
A book about traditions on losing teeth. I liked the way this hook brought something relatable and took it around the world. A good classroom library book. 1998
Copyright:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews