THE TOOTH TREE

Claiming that there's no tooth fairy, Charlie buries a tooth out in the yard, where it grows into a tree whose ferocious branches invade his room to munch on his belongings. Just in time, the tooth fairy arrives—a sensible sprite in a checked shirt who vanquishes the monster and (he discovers next morning) leaves a quarter in place of the tooth. Astute readers may conclude from clues in Heller's expressive, sophisticated illustrations that the adventure was a dream; either way, an entertaining story reflecting a genuinely childlike imagination. (Picture book. 4-8)