Cassandra Gets Her Smile Back: Teaching Children to Care for Their Teeth

by Sherri Alpert, Tea Seroya (Illustrator)

Overview

Cassandra loves to smile. Unfortuately Cassandra also loves to eat candy, but doesn't love to brush her teeth. One day, Cassandra discovers ugly brown spots on her teeth. No matter how much she brushes, the ugly spots will not go away. Her mother tells her she has to go to the dentist to have her teeth cleaned and x-rayed. However Cassandra is afraid to go to the dentist — what will the dentist do? This delightfully illustrated story will help explain to children what to expect from a trip to the dentist, helping to eliminate fears as well as teaching the importance of good oral hygiene.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780882823140
Publisher:	New Horizon Press
Publication date:	06/22/2010
Series:	Let's Talk
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	4 - 9 Years

Editorial Reviews

The subtitle really sums it all up—Teaching Children to Care for Their Teeth. Cassandra is a young girl who likes everything and she especially likes to smile. The cover and initial pictures show her with a big grin and plenty of pearly white teeth showing. She also likes sweets and visits the candy store every day (why parents would allow that is hard to understand and where she got the money for the "sweets" is never explained.) When her mother admonishes her to brush her teeth Cassandra was always too busy and also enjoying sweets (wouldn't there be a regular routine like in the morning and evenings and again where are all these sweets coming from?) One day she spies yucky brown spots on her teeth and no amount of brushing will take them away. Suddenly Cassandra does not want to smile anymore. Solution, Cassandra and her mother head off to the dentist. Then there is a lesson about the dentist and all the dental tools and, of course, Cassandra has all her cavities filled and learns that brushing her teeth will keep them clean and bright. The book closes with tips for kids and tips for parents or guardians. If you like your messages sugarcoated with characters that have big eyes and look like they belong in a comic strip then this is an ideal book. While the message is important the book would not be a first choice for this reviewer. Part of the "A Let's Talk Book" series. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot