Review: Tooth by Tooth by Sara Levine

TOOTH BY TOOTH

Comparing Fangs, Tusks, and Chompers

by Sara Levine

Illustrated by T.S. Spookytooth

Millbrook Press

Middle Grade Non-Fiction

ages 8 - 12

32 pages

What animal would you be if a few of your teeth grew so long that they stuck out of your mouth even when it was closed? What would you be if your top canine teeth grew almost all the way down to your feet? This picture book will keep you guessing as you read about how human teeth are like—and unlike—those of other animals.

MY TIDBITS

The first thing that caught my attention on this one was the cover--horrible, disgusting, creepy and totally what my sons would love to get their grubby little hands on.

One glance tells all. . .this book is about teeth. From human teeth to cow teeth to elephant tusks and everything beyond, the author takes the reader through the variety of chompers nature has to offer. The teeth types are broken down into groups (herbivores, omnivores, etc.) and each category is given a colorful 2 page spread. There's a description to the form of the teeth and their purpose, which was detailed enough to be informative but quick enough to keep the interest of even the most easily distracted reader.

This isn't a dull explanation book, but rather one that draws the reader in. Not only are the illustrations bright and full of humor, but each time a tooth type is introduced, the reader is asked if they know an animal which fits the description (possible answers are at the bottom of the correlating page). There's a picture of a skull to the side to help make the varying bone structures clear. The only thing which bothered me was that the skull didn't always match up to the animal in the illustration. For example, a horse would be illustrated but the skull was that of a cow.

Summed up, this is great for curious boys! It's slightly odd illustrations are perfect for luring boys in and the descriptions are educational and understandable. I can only recommend this for ages 4 to 8.