Gargulakova, Magda. Teeth: You Only Get Two Sets. Marie Urbankova, Illus. Translated from the Czech by Andrew Oakland. Albatros, 11/2024. [22]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $16.95. 978-80-00-07247-0. GRADES 1–4. LOW ADDITIONAL.
This relatively simple book covers how humans grow two sets of teeth, what a tooth is made of, how to clean your teeth, and other important facts. The writing is aimed at children who are starting to lose their baby teeth and are growing their permanent teeth. The book design is also nice, using color cartoon artwork and diagrams. Although most of this is a solid introduction to human teeth for children, it contains a concerning error. Near the end it recommends tying a string to a tooth and the other end to a doorknob in order to pull a tooth, or tying a string to your tooth and then to a large rock and throwing the rock; neither technique is safe nor recommended by dentists. This hazardous advice on pulling your own tooth is concerning.
Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool