Letters From My Tooth Fairy

By: Brooke Hecker
Illustrated by: Deborah Melmon
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Publication Date: August 2020
ISBN: 978-1534110557
Reviewed by: Gina Montanha
Review Date: August 25, 2020

What happens when a six year old little girl loses her first tooth? She gets a surprising new pen pal of course...her Tooth Fairy! This adorable exchange of letters spans the 6 years of a growing little girl named Natalie, and is quite a clever mix of a dreamy fairy tale and a series of real life scenarios.

From Tooth 1 to Tooth 20, Natalie’s spirited little Tooth Fairy leaves the most creative notes and Natalie often responds with questions like “There will be a blizzard. Will you still be able to get here?” and, “What would happen if I swallowed my tooth?” The six year journey is a roller-coaster of tears and joys, with tales of a tooth knocked out at recess to the birth of Natalie’s baby sister. They share many milestones together and the Tooth Fairy cunningly weaves life lessons into each of her thoughtful notes, like when a frightened Natalie learns she needs braces and is told “I won’t lie to you-braces are annoying. It will be worth it though, when you get that million-dollar smile at the end.”

I think this is a great book for children who are losing teeth, especially if they are apprehensive or a little scared. The author addresses so many things that can arise and the Tooth Fairy gives tons of practical advice! But my favorite part of the book are the illustrations by Deborah Melmon! And not just the flighty fairy and the awkward little girl with all the missing teeth...but each page displays a drawing of teeth, laid out in the shape of a wide open mouth, and specifically names each tooth that is lost: from “Bottom Central Incisor 1” to “Top Second Primary Molars A and B.” It’s ingenious and sneaks in a bit of education with a whole lot of fun!

Quill says: Letters From My Tooth Fairy is flighty and fun and will even teach you a thing or two about teeth and the human body.