The Real Tooth Fairy

by Marilyn Kaye, Helen Cogancherry (Illustrations)

After Elise loses her first tooth, she lies awake and waits for the tooth fairy€™s visit, only to discover the tooth fairy is her own mother! Later, her mother tells her the tooth fairy can disguise herself to look like someone the child knows and trusts. Elise€™s wish to see the tooth fairy in her own true form is granted in the climax of this charming story.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 1994

About the author

I was born in New Britain, Connecticut, and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. I also spent a year (5th grade) in Montgomery, Alabama, and a year in Ann Arbor, Michigan(8th grade). As a child, I always wanted to be a writer, but I had lots of other ambitions too. I wanted to be a teacher, a librarian, a movie star, the president of the United States, and a ballerina.

I didn't achieve all my goals. I never became a movie star, the president of the U.S., or a ballerina. But I've been a teacher and a librarian and most of all, a writer. I've been writing for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I always kept a diary. I wrote poems, stories, plays, songs and lots of letters. Writing wasn't easy for me, but it felt natural and right.

I've always read a lot, too. I was an English major at Emory University (I love Shakespeare), and I also received a master's degree in library science at Emory. I earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Chicago, and I taught children's and teen literature at St. John's University in New York for over 20 years. Now, I'm a full-time writer, living in Paris, France - the most beautiful city in the world.

Reviews

[Gabriella · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cleverly written tale is about a young girl, named Elise, who has just lost her first tooth. She is so excited that she can do nothing but lie awake in bed, waiting for the tooth fairy. But when the tooth fairy finally appears, she is surprised to find that it is her very own mother. When Elise goes to her mother to inquire, her mother explains that the tooth fairy takes on the form of someone the child loves in order not to frighten them. The tooth fairy as always been a fantasy of young children and Marilyn Kaye does a wonderful job bringing this fantasy to life in a brand new way.

[Tessa Kusenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: One day at school, Elise loses her tooth. Elise decides, since no one has ever seen the Tooth Fairy, that she is going to stay up and wait for the her. When it was time for bed, Elise placed the tooth under her pillow carefully, and pretended like she was sleeping. After a while, Elise hears someone come into her room. She opens one eye slightly and sees someone she knows, but are they the real Tooth Fairy?

Theme: The theme of this book is faith versus doubt and coming of age.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Personal Response: I love this book because it shows the power of faith. Moreover, the story keeps child's innocence even as they are growing older. I think this is important because I think people have to believe in something. It helps us survive and become our own people.

Why I Recommend: I recommend this book because it is a story /idea that many, if not all, children can relate to. A child's curiosity never stops and it helps them learn new information, whether true or imaginary. Another reason I recommend this book is because the illustrations match the text very well, which makes it easier for students to decipher words. Also, the book captures children's feelings toward a popular character, the Tooth Fairy. The child reading the story can infer parts of the story based on their own beliefs of the Tooth Fairy.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and wonderful story

[Ruth Covington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, gorgeous illustrations that have stayed in my mind for years. The story is simple but sweet and magical.

[ConnieLettow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annabelle wanted to hear this story over and over back to back

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book about a girl that believes in the tooth fairy but suspects that her mother might have something to do with it.

[Grace Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story, with even better illustrations! I love this book!

[Gracie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"she wanted to believe in the tooth fairy"

[Sabeen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this while cleaning out my room and decided to re-read it. I remember being so salty when I learned there was no such thing as tooth fairies because desi people ain't got time for that shit.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

(age 5) I liked when she lost her tooth when Miss Kelly was reading.