I HAVE A LOOSE TOOTH

The day's big event is supposed to be Nanny's birthday party, but for Molly it's her first loose tooth. Unfortunately, the tooth makes her mumble; every time she tries to tell someone about it they think she's said something amusingly different—if they listen at all. Finally, she gets the message across, in writing (misspelled first-grade style) on the birthday card. From mop-top Molly to the crowd of relatives beaming as Nanny conveys the news, the vibrant characters in Noll's bold illustrations make this a real eye-catcher. Close-ups, child-size points of view, and full-bleed art varied with figures imposed on white contribute to the attractive design. An engaging take on a perennial topic. (Picture book. 4-8)