Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews

The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez

The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez

Rene Colato Lainez
Illustrator:  Tom Lintern 
Picture Book
For ages 5 to 8
Tricycle Press, 2010   ISBN: 978-1582462967

One night Miguelito’s loose tooth, the one he has “wiggled and jiggled,” finally falls out. He puts the tooth under his pillow and goes to sleep. Far away two special characters know that he had lost his tooth, and it isn’t long before the Tooth Fairy and El Raton Perez are both standing on Migeulito’s window sill.

Unfortunately, both the Tooth Fairy and El Raton Perez think that they are entitled to the tooth and an argument starts. The fairy and the mouse each grab the tooth and try to pull it away, until the tooth flies out of hands (and paws) and lands on a shelf where neither the mouse or the fairy can reach it. What is to be done? Will tooth fairy and El Raton Perez have to go home empty-handed?

This delightful picture book combines the traditions of Latin countries with those of Anglo Saxon ones bringing together the Tooth Fairy (who is English in origin) and El Raton Perez (who first appeared in a book in Spain in 1894.) Children who are about to lose a tooth will greatly enjoy this story about cooperation and friendship.