Customer Reviews

Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There's an odd complaint that sometimes cycles through the parent circles of this great American country. If a children's picture book is filled with just too many injokes and gags for the parents to get (and not their kids) then that book is immediately given the back-handed compliment of "hip". The "Olivia" books by Ian Falconer are "hip". "Many Moons" by James Thurber is "hip". Do you see the trend? These books tend to be written or illustrated by New Yorker cartoonists/writers. So it only makes sense that such uncalled for disparaging remarks should be attached to my beloved Harry Bliss. In this delightful "Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth" (a delicious addition to his similar school-based story, "A Fine Fine School"), author Alison McGhee and illustrator Bliss tell a tale of realistic childhood fears and the surprising way that one little first grader overcomes them.

"I have a secret", a small girl confides in us, right from the start. "First grade begins today, and I'm in BIG trouble". The trouble comes in the form of "advice" given by a malicious second grader who immediately pounces on our helpless heroine on the bus. The second grader informs us that Mrs. Watson, the first grader's new teacher, is actually an alien from outer space. And this particular alien's preferred meals? Baby teeth. First grader baby teeth at that. According to the second grader, Mrs. Watson has a thick purple tongue and that we should look closely at her "pearl" necklace and earrings. By the time our protagonist reaches school she's in a mild state of panic. However, she's quite certain that if she just doesn't open her mouth, she'll be able to keep her tooth safe and sound from this alien scourge. Trouble is, Mrs. Watson seems really nice. And she keeps asking for kids to sing, or talk, or brag (things our first grader would LOVE to do). It's only towards the end of the day that a surprising occurrence proves both Mrs. Watson's earthly status and gives the second grader a bit of a comeuppance.

It's a cute little story wrapped up in a very fun package. Now I've kinda enjoyed the books Bliss has illustrated up until now. The aforementioned "Fine Fine School" was okay and "Don't Forget To Come Back", peaked the old imagination. But so far, this book is my favorite of the lot. And a lot of this is due to the fact that there ARE jokes that kids won't get in it. Kids will love the visual gags on each and every page (for example, a loud-mouthed boy on a trip suddenly ends up covered in duct tape when he won't calm down) but I love the crazy details. When the first grader timidly stares at the door of her new classroom, a poster with a picture of Shakespeare pointing at the viewer reads, "The Drama Club wants YOU for the Fall production of Marathon Man: A Chilling Tale of Suspense and Toothaches". Similarly, when Mrs. Watson asks the class, "Who's ready to learn a song?", she's holding (and I seriously kid you not here), "London Calling", by J. Strummer. Any picture book that makes a reference, however oblique, to The Clash has won my instantaneous and unwavering love for all time.

So that's that. Kids will love this book because of the words and storyline. Adults will love this book because of the in-jokes (some of which, even THEY won't get). And I love it because it's the perfect melding of two worlds. The childlike and the sophisticated. So pooh-pooh it for being "hip" all you want. It's one of the rare books that will have adults begging their children to read it, "just one more time".

I can't recall the last time I laughed so hard reading to my son. This is a rare gem with sight gags abound. Well done!

Children will love the silly plot and the gags in every illustration! Most of the story is told in comic-book-like form, with speech bubbles and pictures.

The book is about a young girl who is starting first grade with Mrs. Watson as her teacher. A second grader informs her that Mrs. Watson is actually an alien, with a purple tongue, who needs a never-ending supply of earthling baby teeth to take back to her alien galaxy. Unfortunately for the first grader, she has a loose tooth! She decides to not talk in class in order to hide the fact that her tooth is loose. Can she survive first grade without ever opening her mouth? Read to find out what happens! You'll enjoy it, guaranteed! MAke sure to look at the colorful illustrations!!!!

This is the story of a little girl who is about to enter first grade. It is a hilarious look at the fears all children have when facing this turning point in their lives.

"I have a secret...First Grade starts today, and I' m in BIG trouble"

"It's a known fact that Mrs. Wilson, the first-grade teacher, is a three-hundred-year-old alien who steals baby teeth from the students. How do I know?" A Second Grader told me!"

I am not sure who will enjoy this work more, the child or the adult. This author has a wonderful sense of humor which shines through on every page and ever line. The story follows this little girl through her first day of school and her more than humorous attempts at protecting her baby teeth.

The art work by Harry Bliss is cute to say the least and fits the story line perfectly. Do take note that each and every picture should be examined very thoroughly...actually examine it two or three times, as there are dozens of subtle little pictures and quirks here and there; you are sure to miss several upon only one read. The "tooth gags" are endless and are sprinkled liberally about the pages.

I truthfully am not sure if I like the text or the art more in this one.

Of course the book has a good serious lesson that kids need to catch-on to quickly, i.e. don't believe all the tall tales your older school mates and siblings tell you and that reality is not as bad as what your imagination might bring you.

It should be noted that many of the visual humor in this book may be a bit too sophisticated or the little ones but that does not matter. This does not distract from the overall work and there is certainly no law that says that an adult should not be able to enjoy a book as it is being read to a child.

I very much recommend this one and if you are unlucky enough not to have kids to read it to, go ahead and give it a shot anyway, you will love it.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

Today is the first day of first grade. A day when many kids are excited. But not this little girl. This little girl is terrified of her first day of first grade, because a second grader has told her the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about her new first grade teacher, Mrs. Watson. Apparently Mrs. Watson is a three-hundred-year-old, purple-tongued alien who adores stealing the teeth of young earthling children, and making jewelry like necklaces and bracelets, and earrings for herself with them. That's why the little girl is so terrified, she has a loose tooth! Now the little girl must keep her mouth closed for the entire year of first grade, or Mrs. Watson will steal her precious baby teeth.

In MRS. WATSON WANTS YOUR TEETH, author Alison McGhee captures the essence of the nervousness that young children hold inside them when embarking on the first day of school, be it kindergarten, first grade, second grade, etc. Her wonderful descriptions of the so-called alien teacher, as well as the gossipy second-grader, are engrossing and will have many young school-goers laughing out loud. While the utterly captivating, and CHARLIE BROWN-esque illustrations by Harry Bliss will have readers flipping the pages until the very end. This is an absolute must-have book, especially for parents of soon-to-be students.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

A little girl has some concerns as she starts first-grade. The story is told in the first person, and is immediately appealing from page 1. Her fears revolve around her first loose tooth, and the stuff that a second-grader tells her that causes her worry. Great story and funny, clever and cute illustrations with highly amusing background activity, and our girl wins on all fronts. When I introduced this book to my kids, I thought that the cover illustration and the story might seem scary, but they love this one. I think this covers and helps resolve children's fears: reticence at starting a new year, with a new teacher, and other new things that come with age: dealing with bigger kids, and the excitement of getting new teeth! Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth

I would recommend this book because it was a funny book!

My favorite character was Mrs. Watson because she wanted to yank out every body's teeth. I t was funny!

My favorite part is when she was trying to yank out all of her student's teeth!

This is my favorite part because it is funny! But it probably hurt the kids.

By: Heather Q