February is Dental Health Month! So we thought, what better time to interview the author of one of the funniest tooth fairy books out there? Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt, the author of You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? spoke with us about her adorable character, her writing, and what it takes to be an author. Thank you for sharing, Sheri! Book Talkers, enjoy!

Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt

Book Talk: Why did you decide to write a story about the tooth fairy?

Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt: To be honest, I didn’t set out to write a book about the tooth fairy. I was just trying to think up a story with universal appeal. I started thinking about some of the characters that children love, such as the Easter Bunny and Santa. Then I started thinking about what a pain it must be for them to do their jobs in a single night! But it wasn’t until my mind jumped to Peter Pan—and Tinker Bell—that my tooth fairy character jumped into my mind. “No fragile wings or magic fairy dust for her!” I thought. “This is a woman of resource and action!”

BT: Who was the inspiration for your spunky tooth fairy?

SB-R: Now that’s a difficult question. Because my original tooth fairy character was not the nimble, child-like character that David Slonim (the illustrator) eventually came up with. My character was more lumpy and grandmotherly in nature. Her attitude derived more from a position of petulant complaining than boasting. For example, I saw her using her dental floss belt as a lasso and, with a doughnut in one hand, asking herself if it was worth the effort to climb the floss to try to locate the child’s tooth. HA!

David’s initial tooth fairy drawings had sharp edges. In fact, he drew the tooth fairy’s nose quite pointed. She was a bit scary! I love that David was able to incorporate the softness I wanted her to have—and that he made her much younger and more energetic than I had imagined. I love her bulbous, Richard Nixon nose! That’s the fun part of creating a picture book, I think: the merging of two independent, creative minds. People have told me over and over how much they love the illustrations. So hats off to David!

BT: How did the tooth fairy song come about?

SB-R: I decided a song would be a good thing to have for book signings and school visits. By chance, I met a talented songwriter who had studio connections. I paid her to write and record the song for me. She did a fabulous job! The voice actor who just recorded the audio version for Scholastic, is also awesome!

BT: Is it easy being an author?

SB-R: No. Writing is hard work. You start with a blank computer screen or piece of paper, and hope that thoughts, words, and characters jump onto it. It’s exhilarating getting down that first draft, but then comes the really hard work: editing and rewriting. Editors often then ask you to take that draft in new directions. You have to decide whether you’re willing to move the story where they want it to go. If not, you typically have to find a new editor/publisher. But finally, when everyone is happy, the book gets published. Only then is the magic able to happen: readers fall for your book and get excited reading it. That’s what every author lives for!

BT: So, is it easy being the tooth fairy?

SB-R: Absolutely not, if you listen to the tooth fairy. I guess we’ll have to take her word for it!

You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? in paperback and on CD can be found online and in the SeeSaw January flyer.

Tags: Dental Health Month, SeeSaw