And That’s the Tooth

K-Gr 2–Different animal species are unique, all the way down to what’s in their mouths. This book explores a variety of animal teeth, including sharks, hippos, squirrels, and anteaters (who have no teeth at all). Every spread provides a speech bubble with some clever clues, giving readers the chance to figure out what animal is being described. If the riddle is too tricky, helpful hints will definitely prompt a good guess. Turning the page offers the big reveal with an engaging photograph of the animal, along with additional fun facts. The photographs are a highlight. Many of them catch the animals mid-yawn, in the middle of taking a bite, or grinning to expose their pearly whites. The text also features a diagram of the human mouth to explore different types of teeth (such as incisor and molar) and an explanation of the connection between an animal’s diet and its teeth. Although the book doesn’t explore the specifics of dental hygiene, it can be used as a jumping-off point to discuss the importance of caring for one’s chompers with young children.