Open Wide: Tooth School Inside

by Laurie Keller, Laurie Keller (Illustrator)

Overview

From the author/illustrator of The Scrambled States of America, here is Laurie Keller's fun-filled introduction to teeth.

"Before the principal's announcements, will you all please stand and recite our pledge: 'I pledge allegiance to this mouth and to the dentist who takes care of us. And to the gums on which we stand, strong and healthy, with toothbrushes and toothpaste for all.'"

In Open Wide, it's time for tooth school and Dr. Flossman is excited to meet the incoming class of 32--eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and twelve molars, including the four wisdom teeth. There's just so much to learn--from brushing and flossing to dentin and pulp to every student's nightmare: tooth decay!

Best read with a toothbrush in hand, this hilarious book is full of interesting facts (for instance, George Washington's teeth were not made of wood, despite popular belief) and a classroom full of quirky characters. Young readers will laugh their way to a better appreciation for those pearly whites that beckon them to brush. And from there it's just a short hop to flossing.

This title has Common Core connections.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781466819399
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	07/22/2014
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	66 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Laurie Keller is the bestselling author-illustrator of many books for kids, including Do Unto Otters; Potato Pants!; The Scrambled States of America; the Geisel Award-winning We Are Growing!; and Arnie the Doughnut, as well as three books in the Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut chapter book series.

Growing up in Michigan, Laurie 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 Cards in Kansas City as a greeting card illustrator for seven years. One night, the idea for a children’s book popped into her head and after showing the story to several publishers in New York City, she quit her job and moved there. The following year, that story idea was a published book—The Scrambled States of America. Laurie loved living in NYC, but she returned to her home state, where she lives in the woods along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Laurie Keller is the bestselling author-illustrator of many books for kids, including Do Unto Otters; Potato Pants!; The Scrambled States of America; the Geisel Award-winning We Are Growing!; and Arnie the Doughnut, as well as three books in the Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut chapter book series.

Growing up in Michigan, Laurie 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 Cards in Kansas City as a greeting card illustrator for seven years. One night, the idea for a children’s book popped into her head and after showing the story to several publishers in New York City, she quit her job and moved there. The following year, that story idea was a published book—The Scrambled States of America. Laurie loved living in NYC, but she returned to her home state, where she lives in the woods along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Editorial 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, invitingclose studyand provoking belly laughs. A perfect gift for the dentist who has everything. Every waiting room (and library) needs a copy. (Picture book. 8-10)

Kirkus Reviews

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

From the Publisher

This laugh-out-loud production is great nonfiction for young listeners and a clever way to teach kids about their teeth--and how to take care of them--with plenty of silliness. OPEN WIDE is the kind of picture book that’s perfect for a full cast of readers because they can bring to life all of the hilarious asides in Laurie Keller’s fabulous illustrations. So we get Michael McKean, Audie winner for Keller’s ARNIE THE DOUGHNUT, as Dr. Flossman and various young voices as his class of incisors, canines, and molars. Add fun sound effects like flossing and gargling, and even reluctant brushers won't be able to resist. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

DEC 06/JAN 07 - AudioFile