It just won't leave him alone! Stewart would love to be an average, everyday, good kid, but that darn tooth! It makes him destroy his cousin's wedding cake, shout out in class for peanut butter cups, and steal other kids' gummy bears at the movies. Poor Stewart!
When that pesky tooth interrupts the story to demand that Stewart eat a bag of cookies Stewart has had enough and decides to cut him off cold turkey.
It's an epic battle between tooth and boy in this wonderfully illustrated book by Margie Palatini and Jack E. Davis.
This book is just plain fun, and so easy to relate to! Who hasn't had a craving they just can't quench? Or munched down on one too many chocolate candies? And of course it has the wonderful messages about eating right and controlling our diets.
Davis' tragically comic illustrations are not confined to the side of the page, but break out and impose their personality on the text much like the Sweet Tooth imposes its personality on Stewart. The mixed-media illustrations are playful and fun just like the story itself. The cartoony images of poor, frazzled Stewart and his fist-brandishing Sweet Tooth perfectly compliment the hilarious dialogue and easy-going narration.
Like many of Palatini's books this story has a lot of character and a very distinct sound that makes us feel like we are being told the story by a friend. While any of her books would be
a charming addition to any library, Sweet Tooth is a must. Whether we are laughing at Stewart's predicament or rooting for his success, this book will captivate us until the very end.
This sounds like it could be a fabulous yet hilarious way to teach students patience!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see the 'tragically comic illustrations' you are talking about.
ReplyDeleteI can see how children would certainly relate to this story! On a side note, I really enjoy the way you write. You have very engaging beginnings to each of your blogs!
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