Open Wide: Tooth School Inside

I am a school nurse that teaches oral hygiene. I use this book constantly for every grade level, even in my pregnant minor program. My 5 year old daughter loves this book as her bedtime story book, and has learned more about teeth then most adults. She loves the little side-talk of the different teeth. A fun and entertaining way to introduce oral hygiene and the ramifications of not brushing. I even gave a copy to my dentist! Julie Hart-Lawson RN/ San Diego City Schools

After "Scrambled States," what else can a children's book author come up with? Plenty, if you happen to be Laurie Keller, and envision the mouthful of human teeth as a "school." Kids will recognize many elements of the classroom setting here, including familiar "types" of students -- both dilligent and smarmy. The teeth learn their oral hygiene lessons from Dr. Flossman, but not without many a well-aimed pun and off-the-cuff wisecrack. A good dose of factual material craftily sneaks its way into all the silly stuff. Keller has a sure sense of what holds the interest of kids. I met her at a book signing, and she said she was inspired by Dr. Suess, among others, as a child. With this, her second book, she is well on her way to establishing herself as a children's author in the excitingly fresh tradition of her childhood idol. But her style is all her own. Kids will cherish this book... if you allow them to pry it from your own hands. (By the way, tell your dentist about this one!)

The timing of this book was great. I received it the week of my 4 year olds first cleaning. He made me read it every day and laughed louder each time. When we went to the dentist, she was floored that he knew about incisors, premolars and wisdom teeth. Buy a copy for yourself and one for your child's dentist!

Open Wide Tooth School Inside is a silly, funny, fast paced book for the whole family. Smart, hip text with a disguised lesson about tooth care and the dentist. Terrific, colorful illustrations. And even a quiz to let kids show what they've learned. Just an all around great book.

I am an adult, but I'm a big fan of Laurie Keller's two books. "Open Wide" is an hilarious, creative book about teeth which I thoroughly enjoyed even though, the day before, I had myself been through a painful dentist appointment. I knwo a couple of young children who read and loved Laurie's first book, "The Scrambled States of America" and I would imagine children will get a huge kick out of this one also. Her depiction of an elementary school environment, even though it's one filled with students who are teeth, is very accurate and observant and her illustrations are wonderful.