Little Coco has just started kindergarten and is delighted to meet new friends and embark on new adventures. However, Coco harbors a secret: she loves candy. Discovering candy in various places, she sneaks it without her parents’ knowledge. This leads to a severe toothache, forcing Coco to confront the truth and make her first trip to the dentist. With the support, guidance, and prayers of her parents, Coco finds the courage within herself to face this new challenge.

Coco’s Courage: Meeting the Dentist, by Dr. Shon Shree Lewis, serves as a gentle introduction to dentistry for children. The illustrations by Viona Betzy and C. Lola are vibrant and brimming with the joys of childhood. The narrative unfolds at a gentle pace, and I appreciated how Coco’s parents help her face her fears, improve herself, and grow as a person throughout the story. The book also provides a reassuring explanation of the dentist’s procedures, making it an excellent tool for introducing the concept of dental visits in a non-threatening manner. The depiction of the dentist’s office, complete with an aquarium and friendly staff, helps demystify the environment for young readers. This visual aid is particularly useful in making the dentist’s office appear less intimidating and more welcoming.

While it’s important to teach children about honesty and the consequences of stealing, I feel the religious undertones may not resonate with all readers. The emphasis on praying and relying on God for courage, though comforting, might not be as relatable for a more secular audience. That being said, the story’s core message of finding courage and being honest remains universally relevant.

Coco’s Courage: Meeting the Dentist remains a cheerful and valuable book for children, emphasizing moral values and the importance of facing fears. Its core message of courage and support and its effective introduction to dental visits for young children make this the ideal book to read together at home or in the classroom. This heartwarming story about finding inner courage with parental support is perfect for children learning about dentists for the first time.

Pages: 27 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BJ7M6RW7