Lila's Loose Tooth

If you are in charge of little humans who are losing their little teeth and are anticipating a visit from the tooth fairy, here’s a book by Mamta Nainy that you should not miss. As the title suggests, the story is about Lila and her loose tooth. What is special, however, is that the story sheds light on alternative beliefs associated with losing a tooth.

The “tooth fairy” is a recent phenomenon in India, brought about by globalization. Indigenous wisdom dictated burying the loose tooth in the ground for the mouse to take, or even throwing it onto the roof for the sparrow to bring a new one. And this is precisely the reason, my friends, we need writers like Mamta, who grew up and spent sufficient time in India, to give us a real window into the nation and its customs!