Picture Book 18

Title: The Reverend Thomas's False Teeth
Illustrator: Dena Schutzer
Genre: Picture book
Sub Genre: Realistic Fiction
Theme: When people work together, nothing is impossible
Primary and Secondary Characters: Gracie, Reverend Thomas
Award(s) date of publication: 1995
Brief Summary: One day, Gracie learns that Reverend Thomas is going to come over to eat fried chicken with her and her family. Everyone is extremely excited and anxious to see Reverend Thomas. Once he arrives, however, everyone starts to notice that something is different about the Reverend... he has lost is teeth! Where have they gone? How did you lose them? Everyone starts to asks questions. He tells them that he lost them when getting off of the boat. They all work together to look for his teeth in the water. They try everything they can think of. Will, Gracie's brother, picks up and gathers every object that is in the water except for the Reverend's teeth. Gracie decides to sink a string down in the water to see if she can catch Reverend Thomas's teeth. Someone she is able to. Gracie saves the day, and the Reverend is able to eat the delicious fried chicken after all.
Used in the Classroom: This would just be a fun book to show everyone. There's some mystery to it. I think that students would really start to wonder what happened... how he lost his teeth and how Gracie was able to get them back just using a piece of string. This would be so great to read to the class. I think they will enjoy it and learn a little something about teamwork! Excellent book!