Demon Dentist

Product Information

Alfie, we shall meet again…” No, we won’t! thought Alfie. “Oh yes we will…” she whispered. It was as if the dentist could hear his thoughts… If that’s what her toothpaste does, thought Alfie, what on earth is in those special sweets of hers…? With poor young Alfie still lying in terror on the dentist’s chair, Mr Erstwhile stepped into his waiting room to request reinforcements. The growing crowd of patients waiting to be seen were all called upon to assist. Young and old, fat and thin, the elderly dentist needed all the help he could get. Nevertheless, even with a lengthy human chain and an army of yankers*, the tooth stayed well and truly put. *Made-up word ALERT By this time poor little Alfie was in great distress. The pain of having his tooth pulled out was a hundred times worse than the toothache. However, Mr Erstwhile was determined to finish what he had started. Sweating profusely, the thirsty dentist took a large swig of mouthwash, and gripped on to the forceps as tightly as he could. This was the world of the imagination. Anything was possible in Dad’s and Alfie’s adventures. Nothing could stop them. Nothing. As Alfie grew older though, he found it harder and harder to see these things. As his dad spoke, the boy would open his eyes, become distracted, and begin to wish he could play computer games all night like the other kids at his new big school. “Pup, just close your eyes and believe…” his dad would say. However, Alfie was beginning to think that now he was twelve, nearly thirteen, he was too old to believe in magic and myths and fantastical creatures. He was about to find out how terribly wrong he was.

This play really does have something for everyone. It's a perfect family treat and the Birmingham Stage Company have yet another five star hit on their hands!" Bum On A Seat

Twelve-year-old Alfie hates going to the dentist. His teeth are yellow and brown and he loves sweets. He had an awful experience at the one-and-only dentist in town, Mr. Erstwhile, and has refused to go since then. Erstwhile croaks and a new dentist, Miss Root, shows up at Alfie's school to promote good dental hygiene. Or so it appears. But something is off... she's an odd tooth, saying that she will not give gory details on Erstwhile's death, but then gives the gory details: Erstwhile was found in his surgery room lying in a pool of blood with a dental probe through his heart.

Like his writing hero Roald Dahl, David plumbs quirky situations and relationships to create a darker side to the characters and stories in books like Demon Dentist, Gangsta Granny and Grandpa's Great Escape, ensuring his sales now top 50 million. Birmingham stage Company are probably the best theatre company with productions for families and the children were enthralled throughout. This production of Demon Dentist is perfect for all ages and is now my favourite David Walliams story ” Teesdale Mercury Except two children – Gabz, who looked on with sadness at the cruelty, and Texting Boy, who was still texting and had missed everything. “Oh dear, oh dear. What is your name, child…?” enquired the dentist. “Alfie, M-M-Miss…” the boy spluttered. “Call me Mummy…” There was no way he was ever going to call anyone that, least of all her. “Alfie what…?” continued Miss Root. “Alfie Griffith.” “Well, young Alfie Griffith, you simply must make an appointment to come and see me at my surgery very soon…” Alfie shuddered at the thought. He had vowed never to go anywhere near another dentist as long as he lived. “Do you like presents, child…?”

It's the characters around him that I didn't like. Winnie the social worker is very much a stereotype, and her biscuit munching annoying. I was a bit creeped out by Alfie's dad calling him "pup". And by Alfie constantly calling the underused Gabz, his "friend girl" as a "little girl"... She's in secondary school. I didn't understand why the dentist refers to herself as "Mummy" either. Despite the sadness of Alfie’s position, the plot itself is very funny and enjoyable, sending Alfie on adventures to find the truth about the new dentist in town. The plot is not at all realistic, but this is what makes it so fun and unpredictable. I found myself audibly laughing out loud on more than one occasion. Thank yous: A few very impootment* thankingyous*. Firstness*, the greatportant* Tony Ross, for once again bringing my words to life with your fantmazingillicous* illustrawings*. Thankingyou* too to the head of children’s books at HarperCollins, Ann- Janine Murtagh, for all your beliefmentness* in me and my boovels*. The editor Ruth Alltimes must be thankinged * too for her meticuliffilous* editnessment*. Kate Clarke and Elorine Grant, thankingyou both for your incrediment* cover and text designyness*. The publicimitiousness* for this boovel* was organmented* by Sam White and Geraldine Stroud, thankingyou* ladymen*. Thankingyou* too to the desk editor Lily Morgan. Finallingness*, a hugalumptious* thankingyou to my agent Paul Stevens at Independent. You are the bestmentiousness. * Multiple made-up word and phrase ALERTS David Walliams pokes fun at evolving social cultures such as the boy who misses out on all the action at school because he texts 24/7. Or the drama teacher that thinks the social worker, Winnie, driving a moped throughout the school is part of an improv act. Or Winnie, the social worker, that eats and drinks like a piston with no sensitivity or respect to others. Then there is some toilet bowl humor with farting (that is in the top five next to "poop" and "butt" for kids at my school) along with some terrific scary parts, the need for false teeth, and "witchestry*". A snortingly* fun at the beach book. Okay. I would not make team Walliams made-up word list. And I see that there is a need to make it interesting and that's where you need some evil witch, because how otherwise will you keep the children's attention?

Este livro está cheio de ilustrações, o que faz com que se leia de uma assentada e o faça ideal para meninos da idade de Alfie e Gabz (a amiga (namorada??) deste). I saw one friend's (who's a dentist) concern that such book might frighten kids even more when it comes to a question of dentist visit. And children are already scared of dentists (I was and still am to this day!). So how come such book was even published? I think with a book like Demon Dentist, it should be scary but in a safe way. When I ask kids if they found the book scary, they all say no. I want my books to be read for pleasure.The dentist is a common phobia amongst children, and the more sensitive might find some of the more nightmarish scenes difficult to take, most notably when Alfie gets all his teeth removed without anaesthetic, his arms and legs held in place with metal cuffs. Yet whilst this book is unlikely to dispel any dentist fears, there's enough humour in the mix to prevent it becoming too terrifying for the majority of young readers. And that’s one minute!” the dentist announced. “Thank you, children, you can open your eyes…” Alfie and Gabz looked at each other again. They were the only two kids who had witnessed Miss Root’s peculiar behaviour… Join Alfie and Gabz on this fabulous adventure, as they investigate the strange events happening in their home town! Children are leaving their teeth for the tooth fairy and waking up to find odd things under their pillows! Alfie and Gabz are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery - but no-one could have dreamed what they'll discover when they come face to face with the demon dentist herself, in this hilarious and thrilling story! But the main book emphasis goes around a very poor boy and his very unfortunate life. I see how this part is set to teach kids sympathy and tenderness, not to bully the ones that don't or can't fit in, be compassionate and understanding. Don’t miss this terrific tale from the West End producers of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, which were both nominated for an Olivier Award! It’s the funniest and most exciting show yet!