Brush Them Bright

Frances Emery is an editor and writer living in Nepean, Ontario.

Thomas, who has just lost his first tooth, has trouble remembering to
use his toothbrush. He visits the dentist, who teaches him how to brush;
good, clear graphics illustrate her directions. But Thomas has trouble
remembering when to brush—he’d rather listen to rap music. Clever
Mom makes up a chart with stickers for morning and evening brushing, and
promises a surprise if he can successfully complete a week of stickers.
Thomas still forgets, but when Mom suggests he make up a rap song to
help him remember, that does the trick. (The little rap rhyme is catchy,
and even if the child listening to the story is too young to be caught
up in rap music, a parent is likely to find it fun to read aloud.)

This charmingly illustrated book is accompanied by its own child-sized
toothbrush in fluorescent colors, and by a large copy of Thomas’s
chart, with tooth-brushing instructions repeated, and 14 bright, shiny
stickers that will be very appealing in themselves. The book is aimed at
children aged 3 to 7; I can report that the 3-year-old in our family
loves it, and can’t wait to add another sticker to her chart each
morning and evening.