On the long plane ride to visit her family in Mali, Amina discovers that her tooth is loose.

Author: Penda Diakite

Illustrator: Baba Wague Diakite

Format: Hardcover

Published: Scholastic, 2006

On the long plane ride to visit her family in Mali, Amina discovers that her tooth is loose. "My dad says if you lose a tooth in Africa and put it under a gourd, you will get a chicken from the African Tooth Fairy!" Once they arrive, Amina is distracted by all her relatives, the animals outside, the delicious dinner of rice and onion sauce with African eggplant and noodles, and all the games, stories, and songs. But she never forgets about her tooth. When it finally comes out, Amina eagerly puts it under a calabash gourd and waits for the promised chicken. The bright, satisfying illustrations and engaging story reveal many details about daily life in West Africa.