The Tooth

by Avi Slovdovnick, Manon Gauthier (Illustrator)

An ordinary visit to the dentist turns into something extraordinary when Marissa and her mom walk through the tall gray buildings downtown and encounter someone special. Marissa's love of candy caught up with her. That morning, she woke up with a toothache and, instead of bringing her to school, her mother took her to the dentist. So starts Marissa's day. A day where she will discover the joys of giving and sharing.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2010

Reviews

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wished you could meet the tooth fairy? That would be fun! If everyone donates little and collect little with some effort we can see the world hunger and worry-free as food and day to day items is the bare minimum needed items for everyone!

I like helping in our community. Do you?

[Brittany Rockhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tooth is a moving book. It captivated me right away. The little girls learns about a lot on her trip to the dentist. She meets a homeless man on her way and is so curious about him. After the dentist trip, she decides to give the tooth to the man so that he will get money the next morning. This little girl obviously was too young to make sense of this all, but the beauty in this story is that she did all she could do in her situation. She did not have money herself, but she gave all she had to this man she did not even know. Most children are so excited to put their tooth under their pillow, but this little girl shows that people are more important than money. There are needs in this world and she wanted to try and help in whatever way she could. I believe children can learn many lessons from this book. We are to give what we can without hesitation. The illustrations in this book marry the text. Readers can get a full view of this story through the words and illustrations.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story begins with the main character, a young girl named Marisa waking up with a terrible toothache. The young girl's mother takes her to the dentist's office rather than school that day. On the way to the dentist's office from the car Marisa saw a man on the sidewalk, sitting with a box filled with change. Her mother pulled her away and held her hand tightly suggesting to stay close to her mother and away from the man. Throughout the entire visit, the man is all she could think about. During her visit, Marisa gets a tooth pulled. Her Mom tells her to keep it for the tooth fairy and money will be under her pillow in the morning. On the way back to the car, Marisa sweetly offers the man her tooth and tells him to put it under his pillow, and giving him all the money she believed she had.

I loved this e-book version from http://www.storylineonline.net, read aloud by Annette Bening. The animations are captivating and hold a child's attention. Really bringing to life the story, giving it the ultimate e-book experience. I also really liked that Annette called to action the children at the end of this story, asking them to discuss the importance of it with their teachers and parents. One thing I do with it had, was more relation to the children. Something to captivate them from the very beginning of the read aloud.

[Karla Fuerte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a little girl named Marissa wakes up with a toothache. Too much candy has created a consequence. She is hurrying through the busy city to get to the dentist, when she sees something unusual. It is a man seated with a shoe box lying in front of him with money inside. In the waiting room she sees him through the window how some walk past him, leave a few coins, or walk over him. Marissa gets her tooth taken out and her mother reminds her to put her tooth under her pillow. Marissa asks if the tooth fairy is real and her mother says yes. Walking back Marissa pulls away from her mother and drops the tooth into the homeless man's box. She tells him to put it under his pillow so he will get money. The man smiles and waves her goodbye. The book finishes of with, now all I need is a pillow. I really like the innocence and generosity depicted by the child even if she doesn't fully understand. This book also points out the fact that parents try to hide the reality from their children, but children are more understanding than what we take them for. You have to be able to show your child that the world isn't all black in white. I really liked this book because it was different than most books I have read for children.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a little girl who sees a strange man with a box of coins on the street. This book was really cute and emotional. The story was predictable for an adult, but even then the way it went about it still made it a good read. For children who might not be able to predict that ending, this book could be fantastic. It also lends itself really well to teaching kids about a bunch of different lessons. It could be used to help kids feel more comfortable at the dentist, centering on a character that wasn't afraid even when having her tooth pulled. It could also be used to introduce a discussion on dental health and brushing your teeth with its character's cavity. But one of the best possibilities would be to use it to discuss generosity and giving. Schools could use this as a great way to get students involved in helping their communities, leading into projects that the students could do that would benefit community members in need.

[Madison Swim-Hotchkiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tooth, written by Avi Slodovnick and illustrated by Manon Gauthier, is a very heartfelt book. It is about a young girl and her trip to the dentist. On her way, she sees a homeless man on the street. After her tooth is pulled, she asks her mom about the tooth fairy and if she is real. On their way back home, she pulls away from her mother and runs over the homeless man. She gives him her tooth that was just pulled and tell him to put it under his pillow so the tooth fairy will ring him money. I really like this book because it shows how little acts of kindness can make a person's day. Even though the tooth did not really help the man in any way, the selfless and kind act made him happy. This book shows how even kids can be a part of something great, and that there are young children who really do want to help when they can. I could see this book being read to students anywhere from kindergarten to third grade, and it would have some very good moral lessons.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

So I picked this book up because it's well designed and has lovely (if haunting) illustrations. Opening it I think it's a story about going to the dentist. It's not. There are clues on the first page that there is darkness afoot and things are not what they seem, but I was in no way prepared for the stomach punch that hit on the last page. Without giving anything away I think this is a horrible book and totally inappropriate to read to most of the picture-book set. A second grader and up? Perhaps. But knowing that most parents will pick it up thinking they're going to comfort a child about going to the dentist it feels manipulative and wrong. There were several things that could have happened that would have proven the point without a devastating ending, but clearly hopelessness was the message to be conveyed.

[Zachary Crain-Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Tooth" is a sweet story about Marissa's sweet tooth and disposition. After waking up with pain in her tooth she finds her way to the dentist with her mother. On the way, they see a man who is homeless unbeknownst to Marissa, that is sitting on a grate with a shoebox sprinkled with coins. As her appointment went on she looked out the window in curiosity. She saw people giving money and others walking by. After her appointment, she left with the tooth in a small envelope and inquired if the tooth fairy were real. When she walked out she dropped the tooth in the man's box and she told him just to "put it under your pillow and money will be there when you wake up."

This touching text allows for a conversation regarding hygiene, homelessness, giving, and compassion.

****Digitally read****

[Joseph Scarborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tooth is a story about a girl named Marissa who while on the way to the dentist, encounters a person who isn’t like anyone she’s ever seen. The main character of the story is Merissa who is one of the only people who notices the homeless man and after watching him for some time decided to try and help him. The illustrations in the story are very well done and help to convey the drab feeling of people going about their day as they don’t notice the homeless person. Something that I liked about the books was how it describes setting and people that Marissa see. This book could be used in a classroom to when discussing morals and can be used in discussion on why the students might think that she wanted to give the homeless person her tooth. It would serve as a good example of an act of kindness for no other reason than being kind.

[Lana Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Tooth" is a thought-provoking story about a little girl who encounters a homeless man on her way to the dentist. One her way back home, she pulls free from her mother and drops her extracted tooth into the donation box in front of the man. She instructs him to place it under his pillow and the tooth fairy will come. The ending provides a perfect opportunity for discussion, and the story demonstrates empathy.

The little girl is sweet and caring and every child can relate to the sacrifice of giving up an expected reward in the name of love.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marisa has to go to the dentist to have a tooth pulled. Along the way she notices a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk. She thinks about him, while she's waiting for the dentist. When she gets her tooth, instead of taking it home, she gives it to the homeless man so that the tooth fairy would visit him that night and give him some money. She realizes that all he needs now is a pillow.

[Reagan Fulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I liked that it showed that kids can be observant and they can notice what is going on in the world around them. The little girl in the story wants to help the homeless man that she sees on the street and I think it is a great short story and it has a good lesson behind it. Although I do wish the book was a little longer.

[Breea Holdcroft · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great easy read! It has such a great meaning. It sounds like it is going to be just about her tooth and the dentist when it is more than that!

[Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the book narrated by Annette Benning. Great story about an act of kindness.

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

A very nice story time read.

[Rick Christiansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was quite thought provoking and would lead to some interesting conversations with a class or your child.

[Ashley Oswald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was super cute and a great read on empathy. The fact that it starts out with going to the dentist and ends up with something else is so well written.
DRA: 34-38
ATOS: 3.7
6 Traits: Ideas

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a surprise. Captivated 1st graders...

[Z'Nia Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely adorable! Marissa is such a sweet little girl. At first she was a little scared because she had to go get her tooth pulled. Once she got it pulled it’s like she became a different person. When I was a kid, I use to look forward to my teeth coming out so that way I could get money from the tooth fairy. My favorite part of this book is when she gave her tooth to the homeless man! This isn’t your average children’s book because you don’t see kids going are being so kind to the less fortunate because they haven’t full understood what being less fortunate is yet. This is a great book to read to your kiddos!

[Toreian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl by the name of Marissa was going downtown for a dentist appointment with her mom and she noticed a homeless man which sparked her interest. She wanted to go talk to him but her mom wouldn't let her get closer. While waiting for the dentist she watched the homeless man and saw people would put money in his box. So once the dentist told her that she could put her tooth under her pillow and get money for it she decided to give it to the man. The girl chose kindness and decided to be there for this man without judging him even though she didn't know that a tooth wouldn't help him the way she wanted it to.

[Sandra Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a book about empathy. If you are looking to teach children (and adults) about how to make the world a slightly better place, this might be a book that could put those thoughts into action. It's not a funny book. It's pretty serious. I almost cried. I agree the title is misleading. However, the message rings true. The homeless man does need a pillow. Not just a pillow, but a place to rest. This man/woman/person is in your city. This person is not just in the book. I hope that all who read this book will take some type of action to take the sting out of homelessness.

[Reece Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has excellent illustrations that go along with the story. This follows along as Marissa goes on a trip to the dentist but meets a homeless man for the first time. I want to use this book as a read-aloud and have it in a part of my classroom library.

[Abby Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic fiction
2nd - 4th grade reading level
This was a super cute book. It really pulled at my emotions. I loved the illustrations as well as the story it tells

[Cyndy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my goodness, this is the best book ever about going to the dentist. It's so touching and sweet. Read by Annette Bening on Storyline Online.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how this book points opens the conversation about homeless people. And I love how this book shows the compassion of children.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Feels like such an abrupt, depressing ending.

[Natalee Huguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a young girl named Marissa. Marissa loves candy so much that she had a toothache. On her way to the dentist with her mother through the busy city, she notices a man sitting on the side of the street with a shoebox in front of him. A few people here and there stop by and drop coins into his box, but most people just walk by without even noticing him. During her dentist appointment Marissa has to get a tooth pulled because she had a cavity, and her dentist reminds her to put the tooth under her pillow so that the tooth fairy could come by and give her money. On their way back home from the dentist's office, Marissa pulls away from her mom and goes up to the man with the shoebox. She then gives him her tooth and tells him to put it under his pillow, and the tooth fairy will give him money for it. Little did she know that the man did not have a bed or pillow to sleep in, but he was still grateful for her small act of kindness.
Although this story is not a thrilling and exciting book that is full of adventure, I think that children would still really enjoy reading it. It begins talking about how much Marissa likes candy, which kids can automatically relate to. Then it includes a trip to the dentist through a big city. Children are always very curious and students reading this story might remember a time when they saw someone sitting on the sidewalk with a sign or a box for money. Then the story ties in the tooth fairy, and most children are familiar with the idea of her. All of these characteristics are relatable to children reading this story which makes it easier for them to understand and it makes it more personal for them which I really like. Stories don't always have to be over the top and whacky to be intriguing.
This book also gives the perfect opportunity to teach students about the "haves and the have nots". Although Marissa did not know that the man did not have a pillow to put her tooth under, she knew that he needed money and that was her only way to contribute and help him. Usually kids get excited when they get even a quarter and they feel rich, but Marissa knew that he needed the money from the tooth fairy more than she did. Her little act of kindness probably made the man's day and she was one of the few people to even acknowledge him while everyone else was walking right by him and even tripping over him during the big city rush. The Tooth provides a lot of topics that can be discussed after reading and that is very important in children's books.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published in Canada, this book speaks to the issues of plenty and need. Marissa has to go to the dentist because her tooth hurts from eating too much candy. On the way through the city streets, she notices a man sitting on a grate on the sidewalk to keep warm. Once inside the waiting room, Marissa heads to the window and watches the people passing the man. Some leave coins but most completely ignore him. When Marissa goes in to the dentist, her tooth has to be removed. So she gets it to take home with her, ready for the Toothfairy to get it from under her pillow. But Marissa has another idea and she gives her tooth to the man on the sidewalk so that he can get the coins from the Toothfairy. She also acknowledges that it is just a beginning because he doesn’t have a pillow to put the tooth under.

Slodovnick’s book emphasizes not only the divide between the haves and have nots, but also the way that we ignore needs right under our own feet. Marissa is a naïve character which allows her to ask questions that will interest other children and offer a solution that is simple but also complex. This is a book that gently opens the door to discussion about what a single person can do to make a difference.

Gauthier’s illustrations have a modern edge to them. The city is depicted as a gray towering presence while the main characters pop in color against the gray. The homeless man is also shown in color though the other people on the street are the same gray as the city itself.

A book sure to get children talking, this would work well in a unit about kindness, charity or helping. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

[Nani Yanagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a little girl who had a sore tooth. She had to skip school that day to go to the dentist. On her way there she saw a man sitting on the sidewalk with a shoe box with some coins in it. Most people walked pass him while some dropped a coin or two inside. She went to the dentist and found out that she needed to pull out a tooth that had a bad cavity inside. Her mom reminded her that she could put it under her pillow for the tooth fairy. As they left the dentist, she couldn't help but stare at the man sitting down. She ran to his shoe box and put her tooth inside, she reminded him to put it underneath his pillow so the tooth fairy could give him money. The story line in this book is just adorable. I believe this would be a great book to read to the class a student loses their tooth. It shows them how to be generous but yet is related to the subject of losing a tooth.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5Marissa ate too much candy and visits the dentist instead of going to school. Marissa is intrigued by a homeless man on the way to the dentist. The dentist pulls her tooth out and gives it to her in an envelope, warning her to brush twice a day. As Marissa and her mother walk back through the city, Marissa drops off the tooth envelope into
the homeless man's shoe box. She says, "Put it under your pillow tonight and there will be money there tomorrow." The man smiles and the text says, "Now all he needed...was a pillow." This is a soft, reflective story about kindness. The unique illustrations are mostly gray scale with spots of color like Marissa's yellow shirt and the orange envelope. They appear to be made with colored pencils adding to the story's soft feel. This would make a good read aloud and lead to a discussion about compassion.