The Toothpaste Genie

Jean Free, a library consultant, is a retired public-school teacher and
librarian in Whitby, Ontario.

Amanda buys toothpaste that contains an apprentice genie who is able to
grant wishes. When she requests simple things like chocolate and having
fish she doesn’t want to eat disappear, the lazy genie wants Amanda to
wish for more traditional things. Finally she decides to wish for what
she wants most, a horse and a baby. The fantasy is resolved with the
genie graduating as a Master Genie and Amanda finding that life can be
frustrating even when wishes are fulfilled.

The Toothpaste Genie is a gently humorous story about an imaginative
only child. Wishing for a horse or a baby is common among junior-grade
girls, so Duncan’s theme should be one with which they can empathize.
Other episodes include hiding secrets from parents; being a messy,
untidy child who does not get projects done on time; and brief
conversations in French.