Story Time: the Tooth Mouse

Often times, kids' worlds don't really extend past what's in their minds or imaginations at any given time.  So it came as no surprise that during today's circle for story time, one little girl interrupted to tap me on the shoulder and say, "look at my loose tooth!  Ratoncito Peréz will visit me soon!"  I was a bit taken aback, wondering why she thought a little mouse would come to see her.  However, I learned that in lieu of the Tooth Fairy, kids in Spain and Latin America anxiously await "Ratoncito Peréz," which is like a little tooth mouse.  Its the same concept as our Tooth Fairy: when kids loose teeth, they put it under their pillow at night so that the fabled Ratoncito Peréz will exchange it for a small gift, which is usually money.  Hmm, you learn something new everyday!