Pediatric dentist Bentz debuts with a charming ode to friendship and growing up in this picture book showcasing the lesser-known (to Americans, at least) European version of the tooth fairy story. In a small cobbler’s village in some distant past, the mouse Timothy J lives in the home of human twins Jon and Anna. When Jon gets worried about losing his first tooth, Timothy J does what any good friend would do and tries to cheer him up–by leaving him a shiny new coin under his pillow. Timothy J’s “kind and giving heart” eventually leads to a dramatic mouse transformation, sparked by a run-in with the “Queen of all the Prince and Princess Fairies.”

This fast-paced and endearing story is enriched by Fanny Liam’s whimsical digital illustrations. Her charming character work, especially the smiles of the family, the gaps in Jon’s teeth, and a succession of comically expressive mouse poses, imbues the tale with a cheery warmth that invites re-reading. The sight of Timothy J’s tail and hindquarters protruding, in a pair of images, as he searches for the perfect gift for Jon, is a welcome laugh, and he cuts an amusingly dashing figure late in the story, after a surprise costume change from peasant mouse to rodent royalty.

The Tale of the Tooth Mouse offers a unique perspective on a universal childhood experience. The distinctly old-world European take on being a tooth fairy—or tooth mouse—gives readers the chance to think out of the box and imagine the rites of passage in other cultures, all with a fanciful twist. Sure to please young and old readers alike with its whimsy and enchantment, especially in the playful interactions between mouse and children, Dr. Bentz’s lovable tale is a welcome addition to any child’s bookshelf.

Takeaway: Lovers of folklore will find whimsy and enchantment in the origin story of the tooth mouse.

Great for fans of: Robert D. San Souci’s The Talking Eggs, Jacqueline Jules’s Feathers for Peacock.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A