The Demon Dentist

Twelve-year-old Alfie hates going to the dentist and has avoided appointments for years. When a mysterious new dentist arrives in town, strange events begin occurring as children report finding unusual objects under their pillows instead of coins from the tooth fairy. Alfie and his friend Gabz investigate the odd happenings, leading them through dark tunnels and hidden spaces beneath their town. Their quest puts them face-to-face with dangers and forces them to confront their fears. Miss Root, the new dentist, proves to be more than she appears on the surface. Her true nature and motivations drive the story forward as Alfie races to protect himself and other children from her sinister plans. The book explores themes of courage, friendship, and the power of facing one's fears. Through its blend of humor and horror, it presents a fresh take on childhood anxieties while celebrating the strength found in unlikely heroes.

Readers praise the book's humor, suspense, and ability to capture children's dental anxieties in an entertaining way. Parents note it helps kids deal with fear of dentists while keeping them engaged through comedy. Many highlight the illustrations by Tony Ross as adding to the story's appeal. Common criticisms include the book being too scary for younger readers, with some parents reporting nightmares in children under 8. Several reviews mention the dark themes and gross-out humor as potentially inappropriate for sensitive kids. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (5,800+ ratings) Book Depository: 4.5/5 (900+ ratings) "Perfect blend of humor and spooky elements" - Amazon reviewer "Too frightening for my 7-year-old" - Goodreads reviewer "Made my daughter laugh while facing her dental fears" - Book Depository reviewer "The gross descriptions were a bit much" - Amazon reviewer

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🦷 David Walliams wrote The Demon Dentist after discovering that dental phobia affects nearly 12% of the UK population, making it one of the most common fears. 📚 The book sold over 500,000 copies within its first year of publication, making it one of Walliams' fastest-selling children's books. 🎭 Before becoming an author, David Walliams was well-known as a comedian and actor, particularly for the sketch show "Little Britain" with Matt Lucas. 🎨 The book's illustrator, Tony Ross, has illustrated over 800 books throughout his career and is also famous for bringing Francesca Simon's Horrid Henry series to life. 🏆 The Demon Dentist won the Specsavers National Book Awards Children's Book of the Year in 2013, beating several other popular titles.