THE TOOTH FAIRY MEETS EL RATÓN PÉREZ

CURRICULUM GUIDE THE TOOTH FAIRY MEETS EL RATÓN PÉREZ by René Colato Laínez illustrated by Tom Lintern ISBN 978-1-58246-296-7 $15.99 Tricycle Press Move over, Tooth Fairy! El Ratón Pérez is in town! Most children in the U.S. are familiar with the Tooth Fairy, but children in Spain and Latin America grow up with a different tradition. In these regions, an adventurous mouse, El Ratón Pérez, collects children s lost teeth from their pillows and uses them to build a rocket ship to the moon. In René Colato Laínez s charming book, the two cultural legends clash when the Tooth Fairy and El Ratón Pérez both try to take young Miguelito s lost tooth. They discover that by working together, they can accomplish each of their goals and become true friends. This magical tale introduces a celebrated Latino character to a new audience and provides a fresh take on the familiar childhood experience of losing one s tooth. RENÉ COLATO LAÍNEZ was born in El Salvador. He has written several award winning picture books, including Playing Lotería and I Am René, the Boy, and is a children s literature columnist for La Bloga. René graduated from Vermont College with an M.F.A. in Writing for Children and Young Adults, and currently lives in Los Angeles where he teaches in a bilingual classroom. Learn more about his life and work at www.renecolatolainez.com. TOM LINTERN began drawing at the age of five. He is a designer, illustrator, and storyboard artist living in New York City. THE TOOTH FAIRY MEETS EL RATÓN PÉREZ is his first picture book. For more information, visit www.tomlintern.com. This curriculum guide was created by LEIGH COURTNEY, Ph.D. She teaches first and second grade in the Global Education program at a public elementary school in San Diego, California. She holds both master s and doctoral degrees in education, with an emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction. The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez. This page may be reproduced for free distribution. Illustrations 2010 by Tom Lintern. All rights reserved. 1

BEFORE READING Conduct a class discussion about the different traditions each family has when a child loses a tooth. Share information about how families around the world celebrate when a child loses a tooth. (See Lost Tooth Traditions from Around the World, guide page 3) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS After reading THE TOOTH FAIRY MEETS EL RATÓN PÉREZ, discuss the following questions: What do the Tooth Fairy and El Ratón Pérez have in common? What is different about how they collect lost teeth? A conflict arises between the Tooth Fairy and El Ratón Pérez. What do they do to resolve the conflict? What is positive about how they solve the problem? Look back carefully at the illustrations in the book. What can you find in the illustrations that lets the reader know that Miguel understands both English and Spanish? AFTER READING The Tooth Fairy and El Ratón Pérez have creative uses for the lost teeth they collect from children. Think of something else the collected tooth could be used for or how the tooth could be a part of something else. Write an I used to be, but now I am poem and create an illustration of the new object the tooth has become (guide pages 4 and 5). Write a letter to the Tooth Fairy or to El Ratón Pérez using a friendly letter format. What information would you like to know about how these tooth collectors live and do their job? Create an illustrated retelling of THE TOOTH FAIRY MEETS EL RATÓN PÉREZ (guide page 6). Use the Spanish phrases from the story to remind you of the story events. Write the English translation for each of the Spanish words and phrases. Everyone has had a wiggly tooth and everyone has an idea of the best way to lose a wiggly tooth. Complete a how to lose a wiggly tooth chart (guide page 8). Use words like first, second, and next to label the steps you would take. Draw a small picture or diagram in the boxes to go with each step you explain. 2 The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez. This page may be reproduced for free distribution. Illustrations 2010 by Tom Lintern. All rights reserved.

Lost Tooth Traditions from Around the World Use a map or globe to indicate each country as you review the various traditions with your students. AUSTRIA: Lost baby teeth are often made into a pendant or a key ring. FRANCE: The lost tooth is placed under a pillow when the child goes to bed. A fairy takes it while the child is sleeping. The tooth is replaced with a small present, never money. HUNGARY: The lost baby tooth is put into a bottle with water and left there to melt over time. JAPAN: If the lost tooth is a lower tooth, the tooth is thrown over the roof. If the lost tooth is an upper tooth, the tooth is thrown under the floor of the house. This is done to help the upper teeth to grow downwards and the lower teeth to grow upwards. UNITED KINGDOM: The lost tooth is placed under a pillow when the child goes to bed. A fairy takes it while the child is sleeping. The tooth is replaced with coins or money. COSTA RICA: The lost tooth is plated in gold and worn as jewelry, often as earrings. The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez. This page may be reproduced for free distribution. Illustrations 2010 by Tom Lintern. All rights reserved. 3

I used to be, but now I am Poem INSTRUCTIONS The Tooth Fairy collects children s lost teeth to make a beautiful castle. El Ratón Pérez collects lost teeth in order to make a rocket ship that can take him to the moon. What else could a lost tooth be used to make? Cut out the tooth template (below). Imagine what else it could be by folding it or adding to the tooth so that it can be a part of something else. Glue your tooth template to the poetry page (guide page 5) and add details in crayon or colored pencil to create a scene for what your lost tooth is now. Follow the formula to create an I used to be, but now I am poem to accompany your illustration. Example: I used to be a tooth in a little girl s mouth, but now I am a jet heading for the South. TOOTH TEMPLATE 4 The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez. This page may be reproduced for free distribution. Illustrations 2010 by Tom Lintern. All rights reserved.

Name: I USED TO BE, BUT NOW I AM POEM I used to be But now I am The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez. This page may be reproduced for free distribution. Illustrations 2010 by Tom Lintern. All rights reserved. 5

Name: An Illustrated Retelling of THE TOOTH FAIRY MEETS EL RATÓN PÉREZ Use the Spanish phrases in the book to remind you of the events of the story. Translate each word or phrase and then draw a picture of that portion of the story in the box above. Mi diente Aquí está, mi diente! Guau, una señorita bonita! Niños 6 The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez. This page may be reproduced for free distribution. Illustrations 2010 by Tom Lintern. All rights reserved.

Papa s, mama s, y abuelitos Ay caramba! El diente! Dónde está mi diente? Es un bello diente. Sí. Viva! Viva! Amigos The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez. This page may be reproduced for free distribution. Illustrations 2010 by Tom Lintern. All rights reserved. 7