Open Wide: Tooth School Inside

Rating:
Summary: Keller scores again -- with "biting" humor!
Review: After "Scrambled States," what else can a children's book author come up with? Plenty, if you happen to be Laurie Keller, and envision the mouthful of human teeth as a "school."

Kids will recognize many elements of the classroom setting here, including familiar "types" of students -- both dilligent and smarmy. The teeth learn their oral hygiene lessons from Dr. Flossman, but not without many a well-aimed pun and off-the-cuff wisecrack. A good dose of factual material craftily sneaks its way into all the silly stuff. Keller has a sure sense of what holds the interest of kids. I met her at a book signing, and she said she was inspired by Dr. Suess, among others, as a child. With this, her second book, she is well on her way to establishing herself as a children's author in the excitingly fresh tradition of her childhood idol. But her style is all her own.

Kids will cherish this book... if you allow them to pry it from your own hands. (By the way, tell your dentist about this one!)

Rating:
Summary: It's our Bedtime Story Book
Review: I am a school nurse that teaches oral hygiene. I use this book constantly for every grade level, even in my pregnant minor program. My 5 year old daughter loves this book as her bedtime story book, and has learned more about teeth then most adults. She loves the little side-talk of the different teeth. A fun and entertaining way to introduce oral hygiene and the ramifications of not brushing. I even gave a copy to my dentist! Julie Hart-Lawson RN/ San Diego City Schools

Rating:
Summary: Great fun for adults, also
Review: I am an adult, but I'm a big fan of Laurie Keller's two books. "Open Wide" is an hilarious, creative book about teeth which I thoroughly enjoyed even though, the day before, I had myself been through a painful dentist appointment. I knwo a couple of young children who read and loved Laurie's first book, "The Scrambled States of America" and I would imagine children will get a huge kick out of this one also. Her depiction of an elementary school environment, even though it's one filled with students who are teeth, is very accurate and observant and her illustrations are wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: Good Book, But It's No "Scrambled States"
Review: My 4-year-old and I have really enjoyed Keller's book, "The Scrambled States of America". I ordered this title in hopes of getting a similar home run.

The artwork is great, and Keller's highly non-linear style is still a big hit with my son. For me, though, the storyline doesn't quite gel. Very little is happening in "Open Wide: Tooth School Inside". Instead, we get a recitation of facts about teeth, with large doses of humor thrown in.

Don't get me wrong, Nebraska. It's still a good book, just not up to the greatness that was "The Scrambled States of America".

Rating:
Summary: Everything you ever wanted to know about teeth
Review: Open Wide Tooth School Inside is a silly, funny, fast paced book for the whole family. Smart, hip text with a disguised lesson about tooth care and the dentist. Terrific, colorful illustrations. And even a quiz to let kids show what they've learned. Just an all around great book.