ANNA AND THE TOOTH FAIRY

Anna anticipates the arrival of the Tooth Fairy with her first loose tooth but cannot help thinking that her baby sister, Sophie, must be a tooth fairy–in-training since some astute comparisons can be made between the two.

Just like the Tooth Fairy, Sophie is always up at night, has a rattle that resembles a magic wand, and can even learn to fly (with Dad’s help). Eager to facilitate Sophie’s training, Anna begins to educate her about certain tooth-fairy principles, such as finances, sneaking around quietly, and getting used to the dark. But when Anna realizes that Sophie will not be around to play if she becomes too busy as a tooth fairy, Anna tries everything to keep her tooth in place: not eating, a bandage, keeping her mouth closed. A child’s fear of losing a first tooth is subtly couched within Anna’s concerns, and it’s deftly addressed with Mom’s reassurance that “it doesn’t hurt to lose a tooth” and “Sophie isn’t going anywhere.” Happily Anna’s lost tooth is rewarded the next morning with four quarters. And Sophie, the baby, has also done well, displaying a first new tooth in her mouth. Digital art with a hand-painted multimedia effect realistically reflects the exhausting, often messy life of a young family, which is all white.

An older sibling’s loving attitude enables an encouraging approach to a sometimes-stressful scenario.