Name: Open Wide: Tooth School Inside
Brand: Books
SKU: 0805061924
Availability: InStock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Lauri Keller, the much-applauded creator of the wacky, wonderful The Scrambled States of America, traces one school day in a classroom of teeth in Open Wide: Tooth School Inside. Fortunately, when Dr. Flossman takes attendance, all 32 teeth are present to take the pledge: “And to the gums on which we stand, strong and healthy, with toothbrushes and toothpaste for all.” The day proceeds with an anatomy lesson (illustrating dentin, enamel, pulp, etc.), which is interrupted only momentarily when Carl Canine badmouths a little molar (hurting his feelings even though he has a hard enamel shell on the outside). Sally Incisor then shares her report on primary teeth (“Babies don’t even need teeth. You never see them eating corn on the cob or anything”), and the Tooth Fairy makes a guest appearance, offering molar-coaster rides and bemoaning the whole “under-the-pillow” idea, which causes her to fear suffocation.

Lunch is a messy affair–complete with food fights–and when it is over, none of the teeth feel like brushing. Of course, an in-depth lesson on tooth decay and cavities ignites a flurry of flossing, gargling, and brushing. As in Scrambled States (which is a must-see if you haven’t yet read it), every clever, colorful collage bubbles with activity, hilarious asides between the teeth, and tiny details that you may miss the first time through. Two quizzes conclude the book, posing questions such as “George Washington had teeth made out of rocks and twigs. T or F” and “Tooth decay is caused by a) bacteria and germs, b) slugs and worms, c) bad perms.” Kids will never ignore their teeth again–and when they do take a look in the mirror they may see a smiling tooth face peering back, begging for a good brush. (Ages 5 to 9) — Karin Snelson

From Publishers Weekly

Dr. Flossman welcomes his 32 studentsAeight incisors, four canines, eight premolars and 12 molarsAto class at the start of Keller’s (The Scrambled States of America) disappointingly flat lesson on tooth care and trivia. While, in her first book, the states themselves delivered the facts in fun-filled chatty exchanges, here the teacher drills into his anthropomorphic pupils a smattering of tooth truths, including the physical composition of teeth, the function of primary teeth, causes of tooth decay and the importance of dental hygiene. The bulk of the narrative is silly filler (for instance, a funky-looking tooth fairy pays a visit to the school and complains that she sometimes almost suffocates trying to retrieve teeth from under pillows). The book’s abundant puns and asides, many delivered by the teeth themselves, may elicit as many groans as giggles from readers. One of the standout spreads, the penultimate, highlights facts about teeth during the times of the Ancient Egyptians through to George Washington. Though the book’s cluttered, quirky art is at its best in comical scenarios of ambulatory teeth in the cafeteria and at recess, the visual humor, like that of the narrative, lacks the incisive bite of Keller’s earlier book. Ages 5-10. (May)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-This wacky book about dental hygiene begins with Dr. Flossman teaching his class, a set of personified teeth sitting at their desks looking “clean” and “bright.” After the pledge of allegiance “-to this mouth and to the dentist who takes care of us,” attendance is taken, and each tooth is named and identified. The teacher lectures about the parts of a tooth, primary vs. permanent teeth, and even the Tooth Fairy. Then the class is divided into groups: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars, for lunch. Following a lesson about tooth decay, reports on “teeth throughout history” are presented. Then the bell rings, signaling the end of the day. Students are advised to “rinse, gargle, and spit in a cup!-And don’t forget to brush!” as they run haphazardly from the room. Two short-answer quizzes about the lesson are appended. The language and humor are somewhat sophisticated, but most youngsters will get a good laugh from a day in “Tooth School.” The busy layout features lots of appealing color and animation rendered in acrylics, colored pencils, markers, and collage. Alice McGinty’s Staying Healthy: Dental Care (Rosen, 1997) is a more straightforward and serious approach to the subject. For a truly painless, lighthearted look at the subject, open Open Wide and smile.
Elizabeth Maggio, Palos Verdes Library District, Rolling Hills Estates, CA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 2^-4, younger for reading aloud. Using the same hilarious collage format she used in her popular The Scrambled States of America (1998), Keller presents dental basics through an imagined day at Tooth School. On wildly busy pages filled with facts and comical asides, Dr. Flossman and his 32 young pupils (representing the appropriate break down of incisors, canines, premolars, and molars) explore tooth decay and care, using creative devices such as student book reports to deliver the facts and some fiction (a video about Toothland, The Tooth Fairy’s amusement park, for example). There’s plenty of information, cleverly woven into laugh-out-loud humor for all ages: pictures of Dracula (before and after braces) for younger children; meditation and self-help humor for older ones; in-jokes for adults. Silly quizzes review the text (“Tooth decay is caused by: a) bacteria and germs; b) slugs and worms; c) bad perms”). The chaos of the book’s full-page spreads perfectly captures the manic energy of a school day, and will leave kids giggling and ready to learn more. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From Kirkus Reviews

Painless dentistry is lightened with a dose of laughing gas. Fans of Keller’s wacky The Scrambled States of America (1999) will find this a fact-filled, sure-fire, kid-centric introduction to a familiar staple of the elementary school curriculum: dental health. Here, Keller’s inspired conceit–a tooth school class presided over by the single-minded Dr. Flossman–offers almost endless opportunities for kid-pleasing puns and clever classroom asides. The book begins with roll call of the incoming students: thirty-two teeth (eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, twelve molars, and four wisdom). The school day then progresses through typical classroom routines: announcements (GO CHOMPERS), a lesson featuring a cross-section chart of a tooth, a student report on Primary Teeth, an informative video on the Tooth Fairy, group process (incisors together please!), lunch (followed by brushing and flossing, of course), a lesson on tooth decay and cavities, and student reports on the history of dentistry. Check out the funny but fact-based multiple choice and True/False tests (Keller thoughtfully provides the answers). Dynamic book design mimics the untutored artwork of a particularly fun-loving and terribly talented ten-year-old. Keller employs a busy mix of stamp-pad art, ruled paper, notebook sheets, acrylics, colored pencil, crayon, marker drawings, and collage. Spiced with ample cartoony little asides (featuring appropriately costumed, fully ambulatory, and pleasingly smart-mouthed talking teeth), Keller’s art delivers the message while entertaining, inviting close study and provoking belly laughs. A perfect gift for the dentist who has everything. Every waiting room (and library) needs a copy. (Picture book. 8-10) — Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Review

“Entertaining and amusing.” ―The New York Times

“A perfect gift for the dentist who has everything. Every waiting room (and library) needs a copy.” ―Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

“Both kids and grown-ups who split their sides.” ―School Library Journal

“Loaded with hilarious text, equally funny illustrations, and crazy side-comments and wise-cracks from assorted teeth, the net result is a book that clearly demonstrates that learning IS fun!” ―Kendal Rautzhan, syndicated columnist

“A book to delight both kids and adults.” ―Tricia Gardella, The Union Democrat

“Kids of all ages will love cavorting through the pages… Vibrantly illustrated and beautifully laid out.” ―Kids Book Review

About the Author

Laurie Keller is the acclaimed author-illustrator of Do Unto Otters, Arnie, the Doughnut, and The Scrambled States of America, among numerous others. She grew up in Muskegon, Michigan, and always loved to draw, paint and write stories. She earned a B.F.A. at Kendall College of Art and Design, then worked at Hallmark as a greeting card illustrator for seven-and-a-half years, until one night she got an idea for a children’s book. She quit her job, moved to New York City, and soon had published her first book. She loved living in New York, but she has now returned to her home state, where she lives in a little cottage in the woods on the shore of Lake Michigan.