Ichord takes a breezy, topical approach to the history of dentistry, and achieves a remarkable collection of information in need of bridgework. The book begins with the ancients of the Western world and continues through a hasty summation of modern Western dentistry; although occasional facts point to a global dimension—e.g., seven lines crediting the Hindus of India with the first use of a toothbrush, followed by a description of an ancient Chinese toothbrush—most of the book faces staunchly West. Ichord’s reliance on lists results in invigorating snippets of vague information, in which, for example, interesting behaviors are attributed to “some cultures.” It’s an approach that will appeal to short attention spans but which fails to move the general discussion along in a meaningful manner. Among the illustrative and interesting material is the requisite discussion of George Washington’s dentures, appended to the conclusion of the chapter on tooth loss, while a history of the tooth fairy tradition’somewhat related to tooth loss—appears in a different chapter. Readers will arrive at solid historical facts in due time, such as Pierre Fauchard’s founding of modern scientific dentistry, but the book relies more on fabulous facts than comprehensive coverage of the rise of dentistry. More for tidbit-surfing than for report-writing, this volume may inspire research, through its inclusion of oddities and the exotic. (photos, notes, glossary, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 8-14.)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-7613-1465-2
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Millbrook
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1999
PLB 0-688-13166-2 King Midas And The Golden Touch ($16.00; PLB $15.63; Apr.; 32 pp.; 0-688-13165-4; PLB 0-688-13166-2): The familiar tale of King Midas gets the golden touch in the hands of Craft and Craft (Cupid and Psyche, 1996). The author takes her inspiration from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s retelling, capturing the essence of the tale with the use of pithy dialogue and colorful description. Enchanting in their own right, the illustrations summon the Middle Ages as a setting, and incorporate colors so lavish that when they are lost to the uniform gold spurred by King Midas’s touch, the point of the story is further burnished. (Picture book. 7-9)
Pub Date: April 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-688-13165-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Morrow/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1999
Lunge-Larsen and Preus debut with this story of a flower that blooms for the first time to commemorate the uncommon courage of a girl who saves her people from illness. The girl, an Ojibwe of the northern woodlands, knows she must journey to the next village to get the healing herb, mash-ki- ki, for her people, who have all fallen ill. After lining her moccasins with rabbit fur, she braves a raging snowstorm and crosses a dark frozen lake to reach the village. Then, rather than wait for morning, she sets out for home while the villagers sleep. When she loses her moccasins in the deep snow, her bare feet are cut by icy shards, and bleed with every step until she reaches her home. The next spring beautiful lady slippers bloom from the place where her moccasins were lost, and from every spot her injured feet touched. Drawing on Ojibwe sources, the authors of this fluid retelling have peppered the tale with native words and have used traditional elements, e.g., giving voice to the forces of nature. The accompanying watercolors, with flowing lines, jewel tones, and decorative motifs, give stately credence to the story’s iconic aspects. (Picture book/folklore. 4-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-395-90512-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1999
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
