Volume 220 Issue 11, 10 June 2016
'TOOTH FAIRY' TRADITIONS SERIES: THE MOUSE
The cover series for volume 220 of the British Dental Journal features original paintings by English artist Thomas Allen which explore the many different 'tooth fairy' traditions around the world.
The illustration on this issues cover represents the 'tooth fairy' traditions involving a mouse. The mouse is probably the most popular alternative to our beloved tooth fairy. In many Spanish-speaking countries, El Ratón, El Ratoncito or Ratoncito Perez as this little mousy character is variously known comes along at night to collect deciduous teeth from under children's pillows. In Mexico and Venezuela, the tooth is often exchanged for money. In Argentina, rather than putting their tooth under their pillow, children have to put it in a glass of water by their bed and in the morning they will find that El Ratoncito has drunk the water, taken the tooth and left behind coins or candy in the empty glass. French children follow the same tradition of putting the tooth under their pillow, but the mouse is known as La Petite Souris. The mouse also features in traditions in South Africa, Russia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
Painting by Thomas Allen
Website: www.thomasallen.uk.com
Original paintings available to purchase from the artist.
Editorial
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