MABEL THE TOOTH FAIRY: And How She Got Her Job

Davis (Who Hops? ) blends dental hygiene tips and appropriately tongue-in-cheek humor in her latest picture book. Mabel Becaharuvic is just an ordinary wish-granting fairy for many of her 42,364½ years. But

Mabel also spends these years neglecting her teeth, not brushing, flossing or seeing the dentist. As a lonely and almost-toothless fairy, Mabel decides to take action (and the baby teeth of kids, who lose them all the time) to form a new set of her own. Therein, the famed tooth fairy's work has its humble, if shaky beginnings. Luckily, a new dentist friend helps Mabel take a bite out of life—and keep her important night job. A bold palette (Mabel is sky blue with chartreuse hair and a colorful wardrobe) injects a quirky pizzazz, and Davis's humor, ranging from slightly sarcastic to downright silly, gives kids of tooth-losing age an enjoyable behind-the-scenes look at a mysterious figure—and an easy-to-swallow message. Ages 5-8. (Sept.)