cover image The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratn Prez

The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratn Prez

Rene Colato Lainez, Rene Colato Lainez, , illus. by Tom Lintern. . Tricycle, $15.99 (32pp) ISBN 978-1-58246-296-7

When Mexican-American Miguelito loses a tooth, a twinkly Tooth Fairy and her Latin American counterpart, El Ratón Pérez (an intrepid, Spanish-speaking rat) both show up. A tug-of-war ensues: “This is Miguelito's house, and I collected his papá's , mamá's , and his abuelitos' teeth,” says the rat. But mid-squabble, the tooth goes flying, requiring them to work together to get it back. Laínez's creative story approaches the topic of cultural identity with humor and grace, while newcomer Lintern's colored pencil illustrations give it a sense of nocturnal whimsy. Ages 4–7. (May)