David Walliams - Demon Dentist

Parents need to know that the Demon Dentist is a devilishly grisly fantasy that features two terrifying dentists. (Children who are already skittish about dental exams should skip this one.) English author (and actor) David Walliams relishes the over-the-top, grisly embellishments: rusty and savage dental tools, a cat that licks the blood off freshly pulled teeth, a freshly plucked pig's eyeball, still twitching. There are some sad undercurrents -- Alfie and his dying father are very poor and socially isolated -- but there's great warmth to the story, as well. Three special people in Alfie's life are affectionately attentive to his small family. The book retains a very British feel, keeping U.K. terms such as "surgery" for a medical office and incorporating British sweets, but American kids will catch on quickly. There's a fair amount of potty humor and cheap laughs at the expense of an overweight woman.