The Very Wiggly Tooth

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PARENT-TEACHER GUIDE

The Very Wiggly Tooth

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Country: India

Author: Reshma Thapa Gurung

Illustrator: Canato Jimo

Ages: 5-8

Publisher: Pratham Books

About The Story

Bunu has a wiggly tooth, a phenomenon that all children experience between the ages of 5-7 years. Losing a baby tooth is filled with mixed emotions – anxiety, dread, and even eager anticipation. What if I swallow it? Will it hurt? Will the tooth fairy find it? There are many happy legends around milk teeth to ease the journey, the tooth fairy being the most common. But many other legends abound around the world. This story features one such legend from Sikkim, a small state tucked into the foothills of the mighty Himalayas.

Themes

Culture & Tradition

Social & Emotional Learning

Sub Themes

Growing up Milestones

Cultural Beliefs & Traditions

Parent-Teacher Guide

Learning Outcome

Children will feel more comfortable talking about emotional milestones like losing a tooth and will begin to appreciate the richness of global traditions. They'll also reflect on how oral storytelling can be both comforting and culturally enriching. Above all, they will understand that childhood transitions are shared across cultures—and that they are not alone in their experiences.
Understand how different cultures celebrate childhood milestones like losing baby teeth.
Reflect on the emotional experience of change and growing up.
Appreciate the role of stories and traditions in helping children feel confident.
Build empathy by comparing Bunu’s cultural tradition with their own.

Activities

1. Explore tooth traditions around the world :
Nepal/India: Toss tooth on roof for a mouse to replace it with a strong one.
US/UK: Tooth Fairy leaves money under the pillow.
Spain/Latin America: El Ratón Pérez, a tooth mouse, visits.
Japan: Upper teeth go under house, lower ones on roof to grow straight.
2. Create Your Own Tooth Legend : Students write or draw their own tooth fairy or custom ritual
4. Craft Activity : Make a 'Tooth Box' or paper mouse for storytelling fun.

Story Discussion Guide

Before reading

Have you ever had a wiggly tooth? What did you do?
Do you know of any traditions about what to do with a baby tooth when it falls out?

During reading

What do you think of Bunu’s different attempts to pull the tooth out?
How do Bunu’s family members respond to her?
What feelings do you think Bunu is having at different points in the story?

After reading

What do you think the story of Musa the mouse teaches Bunu?
What would you do with your tooth if you were Bunu?
Do you think stories like this one can help with fears? Why?

Applicable Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 — Good Health and Well-being

The story gently touches on dental care and the emotional aspects of a child’s first experience with body change.

SDG 4 – Quality Education

Bunu learns from oral traditions, gaining both courage and cultural knowledge through storytelling.

SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities

Recognizing diverse traditions around the world fosters inclusion and respect for cultural differences.

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