After a particularly traumatic trip to the dentist, Alfie never set foot in a dental practice again, and his yellowed, spotty gnashers are proof. But a new dentist has come to town stere, creepy Dr. Root, who insists children call her Mummy d Alfie's social worker is determined to shine up his chompers. Meanwhile, kids all over town are putting teeth under their pillows, only to discover gruesome prizes (a wasp nest! a flattened toad!) the next morning, instead of shiny coins. Alfie and his friend Gabz are certain Dr. Root is responsible and start investigating, but before long, they are at the mercy of the maniacal dentist's evil schemes. British comedian Walliams warns readers that this is a horror story, and he mostly delivers on that promise, but the over-the-top plot turns, sometimes repetitive jokes, and ragged pacing often dampen the fright factor. Though comparisons to Roald Dahl are inevitable lped in no small part by Ross' exceptionally Quentin Blake like illustrations lliams' grotesque characters, incompetent adults, and plucky children lack what Dahl's books have truckloads of: heart. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Walliams' series is a big hit across the pond, and his first foray into the U.S. publishing scene is getting the royal treatment.

Alfie has enough to deal with given his father-s ailing health, but now his social worker is insisting that he see the new dentist in town because his teeth are in such a state of disrepair that his smile is fear-inducing. Yet the new dentist is clearly up to no good, and Alfie is determined to prove it, even if he has to have his teeth examined. Author Walliams, also an actor and comedian with considerable experience performing in the U.K., effectively narrates his own book with a soft but throaty voice. His English accent remains appealing and engaging throughout the production. He captures Alfie-s mood while also presenting realistic vocal characters for Alfie and other male characters. Voice actors Jocelyn Lee Esien and Nittin Gantra provide additional lively and colorful characters in this production. The three distinct voices provide a solid mixture of aural enticements, and their parts are well-woven into the narration so that it flows smoothly from each character. Accompanying each chapter-s end is music that also adds to the tone and mood of the story. Ages 8-12. A Harper hardcover. (Mar.)

Gr 4-6 Somewhere out there, the ghost of Roald Dahl is musing, "Teeth? Of course, teeth!" Walliams's tale is a little darker, scarier, more PG-rated, but still Dahl-esque in the extreme. Twelve-year-old Alfie's had a rough timeno mother, a loving but very ill dad, and the memory of a particularly traumatic dental experience that has resulted in a mouth full of rotting teeth. When the new dentist in town shows up at a school assembly, Alfie's convinced that she is evil, and it turns out he's absolutely right. Absurd comedy meets creepy horror, with a little family drama thrown in, all of it racing by at a breakneck pace, with a few pauses for underwear gags, toilet humor, and other kid-friendly shtick. Supporting characters sometimes edge perilously close to cliché, but there are a few standouts, including Dad and Gabz (who is NOT Alfie's girlfriend, as he points out many, many times). The whole package is extremely British, but American readers should feel comfortable enough, thanks to Ross's familiar illustrations and most middle graders' knowledge of all things Muggle. VERDICT Frenetic humor for middle grade fans of the funny and fearsome. Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library