Episode Details

Jennifer Ballow

Social Worker Writes Book About Tooth Fairy to Help Kids Connect with Caregivers

My name is Jennifer Ballow and I’m a social worker and children’s book author in Austin. I wrote a children's picture book about the Tooth Fairy, called Under My Pillow.The story is about five-year-old Sam, who loses her first tooth. At her mom’s direction, Sam puts the tooth under her pillow for the tooth fairy, but the following day, it’s gone! No tooth and no present. Sam writes a letter to the tooth fairy inquiring about the tooth, and the tooth fairy decides to make an exceptional visit to Sam’s house. She arrives with her pet bird Gordy—who, it turns out, has stolen the tooth! Sam, her mom, and the tooth fairy team up to solve the mystery. Once they do, Sam must forgive Gordy’s “trick.” In this way, the book explores themes of problem-solving, trust, and forgiveness.My decades of experience as a social worker have taught me how critical social/emotional learning is to healthy childhood development and that stories, above all else, drive this learning—especially when reinforced by related activities. I wrote UNDER MY PILLOW to give kids the words to express their emotions, to model both curiosity and conflict resolution, and to challenge the roles tradition, family, and friends play throughout the coming-of-age experience. The supplemental questions and activities included at the back of the book are designed to spark creativity and foster imagination, while also encouraging children and their caregivers to connect in more meaningful ways.