The Tooth Mouse

K-Gr 2–The opening sentence–“In many countries across the world, there is no such thing as the Tooth Fairy. Instead there is… the Tooth Mouse”– introduces children to this delightful story with beaucoup nods to the French language. When she cannot sleep, Sophie, a young and playful mouse, dances into the great hall of a cathedral only to join an audience with the revered Tooth Mouse. Old and tired, the Mouse announces that she will soon be giving up her job and proposes a threefold test to determine who her successor will be. The competing mice must prove their bravery, honesty, and, finally, their wisdom by explaining how they would use all of the lost teeth they collected. Children will enjoy the expressions on the faces of the mice and thwarted cats in the delicate pencil and watercolor illustrations. Almost every spread contains a French word or term, such as “Mais oui” or “Voilà,” giving the book a dreamy feel. As these words are used in context and very often translated as part of the narrative, children should have no problem understanding them. Little girls especially will appreciate Sophie, a plucky, sure, and determined little mouse whose solution to the final task is a lovely example of youthful ingenuity.–Alison Donnelly, Collinsville Memorial Public Library, IL