Pookster and the Unloose Tooth

Rhonda Funk's series, The Adventures of Pookster and Bubs is designed to teach fruits of the Spirit, like patience, to young children. Pookster and the Unloose Tooth is the perfect book for children (like my son), who have yet to lose a tooth, but may be feeling left behind, as friends, cousins and schoolmates lose teeth left and right.

Pookster, our heroine, is desperate to lose her teeth, but as she prays and wishes for her teeth to come out, her mom reminds her, "God's timing is not out timing." She has a hard time being patient though, so she wiggles and tugs and twists. Finally, she loses her first tooth! However, now that Christmas is approaching, she decides she wants to lose her second tooth, so she can sing, "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth." After she yanks the second tooth out via the "dental floss around the door handle" trick, she realizes teeth are handy for eating apples and biting spaghetti noodles.

Pookster continues to miss her front teeth. When Easter comes, and there is still no sign of new teeth, Pookster decides, "Mom is right. God's timing is not mine."

The book is brightly illustrated, and includes a read-along CD.

What I Like: This book really was perfect for my son. He has older cousins and friends, and was getting concerned he was the last to lose a tooth. He definitely could relate to Pookster.

Also, patience is such an important life-skill, as well as a biblical virtue. This story shows children what it means to be patient, in a clear, funny, but compelling manner. Funk's first-person voice makes the story even more accessible to kids. Pookster is telling us about her teeth, so the lesson doesn't seem preachy at all.

What I Dislike: Funk (or Pookster) never really gives any direct consequences of pulling out her second tooth by tying floss around it and slamming the door. Usually there would be lots of blood and discomfort if you pulled out a tooth that isn't loose yet, but Funk skipped over those details. As I don't want my son to imitate Pookster, I wish she would have at least mentioned some blood or pain!

Also, the CD is cute, with kids voices, and sounds like the door slamming and dog barking, but it is very short. This isn't a problem if kids can use their CD players themselves, but you couldn't set them up listening to it and go do anything else.

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: Preschool/First Grade

Publisher Info: Fish Pond: Carmichael Publishing, 2010; ISBN: 978-935265-40-5; Paperback, $11.99

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