Does a Tiger Open Wide?

Designed to take away the apprehension that often accompanies young children's introductions to new situations, the "Early Experiences" series includes scary things, such as haircuts and dental hygiene. This title tackles visits to a dentist, an experience that even adults can find daunting. Opening with a series of obviously silly questions, such as "Does a tiger go to a dentist?", "Does a giraffe go to a dentist?", and concluding that animals rarely get cavities but people often do, this colorful paperback builds a matter-of-fact approach to the medical care fortunate children enjoy today. Illustrations of various animals in a dentist's chair showing the bib, lights, X-Ray machine, and instruments in the dentist's office prepare the reader for the experience ahead--and it's nice to see a daddy in the parent's role. The simple text would encourage early readers, but it is also useful for reading aloud.