In Marigold Twinkletooth and the Star-Coin Surprise by Jamie Kucia, a little girl called Ariel finally gets to meet the Tooth Fairy and passes an important milestone in her young life. It’s the night before the first game of T-Ball, and Ariel has the jitters. She also has a loose tooth, which finally pops out. It’s the first tooth she’s lost. Like all kids, Ariel knows to put the tooth under her pillow so she can get a wish when the Tooth Fairy stops by to collect it. But when tiny Marigold Twinkletooth arrives, she’s not at all what Ariel expected. Amid some magical mishaps, Ariel and her faithful pup enjoy games and laughs. And then they help Marigold find a delightful solution to the problem of what to do with the tooth.  

Marigold Twinkletooth and the Star-Coin Surprise is a playful take on a childhood tradition, full of surprises. With gentle, colorful illustrations that perfectly match the whimsical text, it is a wonderful read-together book. Kids and parents will enjoy, as I did, the little details like the pup snoring and the not-so-graceful fairy tripping over her own shoes. Jamie Kucia has a serious message in the story, along with all the fun, about finding the courage to step up to the plate even if you’re afraid. It’s the brightest magic, as Marigold says. The plucky Ariel, her faithful pup, and the somewhat clumsy Tooth Fairy are great characters to grow up with, and the book is sure to become a family favorite.

In Marigold Twinkletooth and the Star-Coin Surprise, Jamie Kucia turns a memory many children have into a delightful adventure with lots of laughs, courage, and sparkle. Ariel is thrilled about two big firsts at once: she has just lost her first tooth and is preparing for T-Ball. What begins as ordinary excitement quickly changes when she is swept into a nighttime journey with Marigold Twinkletooth, an unconventional Tooth Fairy who is far more clumsy and unpredictable than the polished magical figure children might expect. Much of the charm comes from the contrast between Ariel’s real-world nerves about starting something new and the chaotic magic Marigold brings into her world. Many of the situations that Ariel is put into during the story create some very funny as well as magical moments. The author captures the excitement and uncertainty of childhood firsts and shows us that even the tiniest events in life can be very big adventures!

Different from other classic fairy tales, Marigold Twinkletooth and the Star-Coin Surprise highlights being imperfect. Marigold’s blunders and her excited enthusiasm make her easy for readers to identify with rather than being intimidating. The way Ariel learns to go from being afraid to having confidence will help guide young readers as they journey along their own path. Instead of defining courage as not being scared at all, Jamie Kucia defines bravery as sticking with something even though you are not sure if you can accomplish it, and trying again after failing. With lighthearted storytelling, playful pictures, and an emotional foundation, this story combines fantasy elements with emotional realism. The core of this book is a warm and loving story of growing up, of being able to accept change and finding self-confidence within yourself through unusual opportunities and friendships.