Tooth Trouble. (Ready, Freddy! #1). Abby Klein. Illustrated by John McKinley. New York, NY: Blue Sky Press (Distributed in Canada by Scholastic Canada), 2004. 95 pp., pbk. & cl., $5.50 (pbk.), $23.95 (cl.). ISBN 0-439-55596-5 (pbk.), ISBN 0-439-55595-7 (cl.). Subject Headings: Teeth-Fiction. Tooth fairy-Fiction. Schools-Fiction. Preschool-grade 2 / Ages 4-7. Review by Harriet Zaidman. *1/2 /4 Reviewed from uncorrected proof.

Freddy Thresher is a Grade One with a problem. He is the only student in the class who has not lost a tooth, and, because of that, he has not had the chance to sign his name on The Big Tooth poster in the classroom. The biggest bully in Grade One mocks him, but Freddy tries to get Max to hit him in the mouth. However, Max’s punch lands in Freddy’s stomach, and Freddy’s teeth are still intact.

     Freddy tries the typical ways to create space in his mouth, including the old standby –– tying string around the tooth and linking it to a doorknob. Unfortunately, taping it to the doorknob doesn’t work, nor does squeezing on his lucky shark’s tooth for good luck. Finally, of course, the tooth falls out on its own and Freddy proudly signs his name in big letters on The Big Tooth.

     This is the first book of the “Ready Freddy!” series which are early chapter books accompanied by black and white sketches throughout. Freddy’s last name is Thresher, and he is a self-described aficionado of the shark by the same name. The word ‘‘fin’’ is hidden in each drawing to add fun to the reading experience. Information about sharks follows the text, as does a writing and a craft activity. The shark theme seems to be imposed on the story; it remains to be seen if, in further books, it will be a natural extension of Freddie’s character.

     The story reads quickly, with enough repetition to make young readers feel they are succeeding. The topic of losing teeth is interesting to small children, but I have problems with the plot and two characters especially: the constantly taunting older sister and the school bully who makes recess dangerous. I wonder why a book written for pre-school children would want to introduce the ideas being bullied and physically threatened in an institution where children are supposed to feel safe. Freddie and his sister reconcile at the end of the book, but only because he bribes her to help him spell words correctly. Surely there are other ways to make the subject of losing a tooth fun and engaging.

     This content of this book may suit older children in the target age group who are behind in reading skills; however it is not a must have.

Recommended with Reservations.

Harriet Zaidman is a teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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