CiJlifo7tnion - ARTS AND BOOKS

"The Christmas ToothFairy,"by Murlie Hanson,with illustrations by LaurenOliveira (OMO Publications;$19.99).> Local connection: 1WoCen-tral Coast residents teamed upto produce this seasonal book.Author Murlie Hanson prac-tices trust administration lawin Monterey County.This is herfirst published children's story.

Illustrator Lauren Oliveiragrew up in Salinas and nowworks in San Francisco.> Content: This unusualpicture book brings togetherSanta Claus and the ToothFairy in an original story thathas the two joining forces afterthe diminutive Tooth Fairy hasan unfortunate accident.

Narrated in the first personby the Tooth Fairy, the storyis developed usmg a ques-tion-and-answer format withsome rhyming. Interviewed by

Weekend, November 13-14, 2010 fI

Picture book tells story of howTooth Fairy, Santa Claus meet

BY ROBERT WALCHFor The Salinas Californian

a reporter from K-IDTV, theTooth Fairy responds to ques- .tions about what a typical dayfor her would be like.

She addresses not only howshe carries the money shegives out, given her small size,but also what she does with allthe teeth she collects.

Toward the end of the tale,. theTooth Fairy explains howan accident that damaged oneof her wings and grounded herfor awhile resulted in a work-ing relationship with SantaClaus.>Author quote: Discuss-inghow her two daughters,Krista and.Jenna, when theywere younger, offered theinspiration for this tale, Han-son explains that the eldest-was about to lose a tooth justbefore Christmas.

"We started talking about allthe different ways she mighthasten the loss of her toothand the idea of sticky candycanes came up,"the authorwrites. "Then Krista asked

whether the Tooth Fairy andSanta Claus had ever met- that is how the story cameabout."> Audience: If you are look-ing for a nicely illustrated chil-dren's picture book for young-sters age 5 and older, this holi-day story puts an interestingand creative spin on the ToothFairy and Christmas. Idealfor reading aloud at bedtime,the book will also work wellwith children who are alreadyaccomplished readers.

The book is available onlineand at the National SteinbeckCenter bookstore, 1Main St.,Salinas.

> Robert Walch of Montereywrites about Central CoastAuthors for the Arts & Bookspage Saturday in The SalinasCalifornian. Contact him incare of Central Coast Authors,The Salinas Californian, 123WAlisal St., Salinas 93901;fax to754-4293;or e-mail tonewsroom@thecalifornian.com.