Families are in lockdown in New Zealand because of the Covid 19 virus. Ruth is sitting on the couch wiggling her loose front tooth while Mum and Dad watch Jacinda Adern and Ashley Bloomfield in their daily press conference.

Pop! Ruth’s wiggly front tooth comes out!

Just as millions of children have done before her, Ruth leaves her tooth out next to her bed for the Tooth Fairy. Just like all those other kids, Ruth hopes for a coin in return. Alas! Her tooth is still there in the morning!

Many people worked through the Covid 19 crisis. Supermarket workers, Doctors, Nurses, Truck Drivers, Rubbish collectors, Police, Fireman and Cleaners were all named Essential Workers. The Tooth Fairy was not on the list!

A little girl sees a problem and decides to take action to put it right.

Based on a letter sent to Prime Minister Jacinda Adern from a 9 year old girl in 2020, Anna Kenna’s The Essential Fairy is well paced, rhymes wonderfully and shows a little of the elusive Tooth Fairy’s own home life during Covid 19.

Like The Great Realisation, this story is a keeper and hopefully sooner than later will be a reminder of the time the world stopped. This book shares a kiwi experience that was documented across the globe.

Author – Anna Kenna

Illustrator – Tim Hunt

Picture Book

See the original letter and Prime Minister Jacinda Adern assuring NZ children that the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny are essential workers during Covid 19 here

(2021, Copy Press, NZ, New Zealand, Covid 19 Virus, Pandemic, Lockdown, Tooth Fairy, Letter, Prime Minister, Jacinda Adern)