Sasha and the Wiggly Tooth

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

Sasha is a big boy. He can multiply three times three and run faster
than all his friends, but he still has only baby teeth and feels
embarrassed by this fact. Finally, one of his front teeth becomes wiggly
and Sasha is happy. Yet he soon discovers that even losing teeth can
present big problems. For example, although the tooth becomes wigglier
and wigglier, it stubbornly refuses to let go. When his friends
(Daniella, Talia, and Tai) offer a few grisly solutions, Sasha begins to
wonder whether he really wants new teeth that much. Suddenly, during
dinner, he discovers that his old tooth is gone. To his horror, he
realizes that he has swallowed it.

Now Sasha has to worry whether the Tooth Fairy will take a written note
in lieu of an actual tooth. The conclusion of the story should be read
from the original.

Author Rhea Tregebov has managed to create an enchanting story about a
seldom-discussed transition in every child’s life. She reminds us that
little teeth are a big deal for young people. Hélиne Desputeaux’s
artwork works beautifully with the story line. Together they have
produced a fine book that reads well and reflects the gender balance and
racial realities of today’s young Canadians. Highly recommended.