About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the feeling of being an outsider or is starting to question the magic of childhood traditions. It is a perfect choice for the transition between early childhood wonder and adolescent skepticism, offering a sophisticated look at why humans create stories to explain the unknown. While the story revolves around the origin of tooth fairies, it is deeply rooted in the universal need for community and the search for one's own history. Gregory Maguire crafts a lush, lyrical world where a lonely skibbereen named What-the-Dickens must find his place among his own kind. Set against a backdrop of a massive storm that strands three children with their cousin, the narrative uses a story-within-a-story format to explore themes of identity, bravery, and the power of imagination. It is ideally suited for children ages 8 to 12 who enjoy complex language and quirky, slightly edgy fantasy that respects their growing emotional maturity.
