Bear's Loose Tooth by K. Wilson and J. Chapman
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20361/G24K61Abstract
Wilson, Karma, and Jane Chapman. Bear's Loose Tooth. New York: Little Simon, 2014. Print.
This title is the latest in a series of books featuring Bear and his friends. Those familiar with the series will know what to expect: the title describes the main plot point of the book (e.g. Bear Feels Sick or Bear’s New Friend), the language is lyrical and rhythmic with plenty of repetition, and the painted illustrations are a mixture of cartoony realism. His friends are a rather random group of forest animals that one would not typically expect to see together, such as a wren, a mouse, an owl, a hare and a badger.
This particular title is a great introduction to the experience of losing a tooth. Bear is initially worried when he discovers his loose tooth while eating lunch: “But how will I eat if my tooth says good-bye?” After his friends reassure him that another tooth will grow in, they take turns trying to pull out his tooth. Finally, Bear wiggles his tooth until it falls out. He leaves his tooth for the tooth fairy, who exchanges it for something a bear would like better than money (read the book to find out what that is).
The size difference between the animals is presented realistically, which is part of the charm of the book; for example, the image of a tiny wren trying to pull a tooth out of the mouth of a big bear is quite comical. The illustrations also play a large role in defining Bear as a character, who comes across as an adorable and timid creature, without any trace of the guile or ferocity one might expect from a bear. Younger readers will probably accept the book at face value, but older readers may question why Bear and his friends have not tried to eat each other yet (e.g. Owl and Mouse). Either way, the book is still a fun read that helps prepare children for what to expect with a loose tooth.
Recommended: 3 of out 4 stars
Reviewer: Dale Storie
Dale is a systems librarian at the Saskatchewan Information and Library Services Consortium. He has also worked in an academic health sciences library as a public services librarian and in a public library as a children's programming coordinator. He can often be found at the park with his kids
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