THE TOOTH BOOK

Miller presents all things toothy in this fascinating and funny introduction to teeth. Each spread covers a separate topic, beginning with some of the things we would find it hard to do without having teeth and some of the amazing teeth found in the animal kingdom. A tooth timeline helps kids put their development in perspective, while diagrams of a mouth and a cross section of a tooth give them the vocabulary. And what tooth book would be complete without sections on tooth decay, proper brushing techniques and eating habits, and what a visit to the dentist is like. Rounding things out are lost-tooth traditions from other parts of the world, a dental first-aid section, and some dos and don’ts. Miller livens up what could be a very dry topic with some unique factoids and humorous asides, including a look at George Washington’s false teeth, what used to be used to make toothbrushes (yuck), and some old ingredients of toothpaste (super yuck). Computer illustrations perfectly match the tone of the text—a mix of fact and humor that will capture kids’ attention and spark learning. This is one that kids can really sink their teeth into. (Nonfiction. 4-8)