Very often we get a #kbcQuery on fun books that will encourage kids to brush their teeth. If you’ve been a toddler/pre-schooler parent you know what a task that can be sometimes! Brushing together at night, or singing songs like, “This is the way we brush our teeth…” help to a certain extent. But engaging books usually win.
We’ve curated a list of books of books apt for TODDLERS & PRE-SCHOOLERS (1-6 years) recommended by our kbc members in a similar query post by dear Neha Arora in our helpful facebook group.
Pepper Brushes his Teeth (many members have this!)
Big Steps: Let’s Brush Our Teeth (Campbell) – board book (10 pages). Abha got this book from this very curation. She has shared her mini review and an inside page in the fb group here. Quoting her: “What we liked about the book so far:
1. It is interactive – toddlers are engaged. We already were doing a few like using character brush, brushing their favorite stuffies, etc
2. If you have two kids/cousins make a story about them and how they brush and get the toddler glued
3. Great parental tips at the bottom of each page to help parents encourage their kids to brush. Each tip will probably speak to different parenting style and the author has shared the options without bias. Choose the one that works best for you.”
There are many other helpful books in the CAMPBELL BIG STEPS SERIES
Smile, Crocodile, Smile for 2.5 years+. Arulsaranya recommends this book. In her words:
Clarabella, the crocodile and her friends live in a mango tree house and they start their day with brushing their teeth. Everybody finishes brushing, but Clarabella has a problem because she has so many teeth.. What do the friends do to help her, find out more in the book.. and be ready for some laughing ..
Hey Duggee: The Tooth Brushing Badge
Tiger’s Toothbrush (many members have recommended this)
Caillou: I Can Brush My Teeth (works for young toddlers like magic)
Let’s Brush Our Teeth! (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) – 16 pages
Jock The Crock Brushes His Teeth
How to Brush Your Teeth with Snappy Croc
Teeth Brushing Reward Coloring Book
Brush Your Teeth: A Fun Coloring Book For Kids
Brushing My Teeth! (DK Sticker Reward Books)
The Crocodile & The Dentist comes highly recommended by Divya.
This book is helping us … my son wanted to brush his teeth when were reading it at noon… and always wants us to read it again and again ….
Brush, Brush, Brush! (rookie toddler series)
Topsy and Tim go to the Dentist (2-5 years) – Topsy and Tim books are perfect for first experiences and address all issues toddlers/pre-schoolers face. The simple language and positive messages help kids overcome their fears and encourage the desired action. In this case, to brush your teeth!!
Totie at Camp Brushies (kindle edition)
My Pet Dinosaur Won’t Brush His Teeth (kindle edition)
Blue Bear & The Hole In The Tooth (kindle edition)
Brush Your Teeth (kindle edition)
Max Your Health (The Me And We series) – While this book is on general hygiene it comes highly recommended for kids giving a tough time on the routine things like taking a bath, brushing teeth, washing hands, etc.
Usborne: Lift-The-Flap – Very First Questions and Answers: Why Should I Brush My Teeth? (This comes highly highly recommended for curious kids who love asking questions, who are into Usborne books and enjoy non fiction 🙂
Reena Chopra shared this poem by made her nephews on brushing fun.
Brush brushBrush your teeth
Brush them everyday…
Brushing is fun
Brushing is fun
Brushing is sooooo much fun
Nikita Bhutani recommends the Elmo Brushing Song (which actually helped Neha!).
RELATED READING ON FOLLOWING DAY/NIGHT ROUTINES:
Peppa’s Busy Day – Quoting Amardeep: “This book shows how Peppa and George wake up on time, eat breakfast on time, go to school on time, etc and at the end of the day go to bed on time (includes brushing at night). It helps toddlers understand how to follow a routine. Comes with a clock face that kids can play around with as per the story. Eventually, it helps children learn to tell the time. Excellent book, highly recommended.”
What George Forgot – In Amardeep’s words: “What George Forgot is the story of a boy, George, going through his morning routine – from waking up, making his bed, bathing, brushing, getting dressed, eating breakfast, etc. But, he knows he’s forgetting something. What is it? Will he figure it out before he steps out of the house? This book is amazing if you are struggling to establish a morning routine with your little one, get them to brush, bathe and dress without a fuss. It is also really good if you are trying to encourage your little one to be more independent as it shows the main character doing everything independently, including eating by himself (promotes self feeding). It also promotes environmental protection (switching off the tap) and good hygiene.“The Cat’s Pyjamas for 3-7 years Roshna highly recommends this book for 1 yr+
Ever wondered if there’s a book that teaches kids a good bedtime routine? Well.. this book which is also my 4 year old’s current favourite does that in a fun and engaging way. What he loved most is the amazing illustrations. Everyday the cat wears different theme pyjamas and dream of these themes. Like Tuesday he wears ocean pyjamas and dreams of whales, sea turtles, eels etc. A great way to learn different days of week and also different themes and these are linked with good night time routines like praying before sleep, brushing teeth, reading book, drinking milk..
Thank you dear Divya, Vandana, Nimisha Kantharia, Reena Chopra, Nikita Bhutani, Fatima, for contributing to recommendations on this curated list.
Shout-out to our 14yo Intern-In-Residence (Aarini – The Chief Childoo) for posting this.
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