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Nooo! Not the Dentist!

Stephanie Blake - Author

A playful story about facing a first dental visit: Simon is alarmed by Ferdinand’s imagined horrors, but meets a patient dentist and discovers the experience is not painful for him.

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Book Analysis

At a Glance

Discover

Fear· AffirmedNew experiences· AffirmedDentist visit· Affirmed

Consider

Fear and suspenseEmotional intensityFrightening scenes

Personalised Fit

Beyond the Cover

fearnew experiencesdentist visitrumourimaginationreassurance

FictionPicture book

Themes in Context

Facing an unfamiliar appointment

Simon has a sore tooth and resists his first trip to the dentist after hearing Ferdinand’s frightening account.

How the book presents it: The story presents moving through the feared experience as manageable for Simon, while using humour and a patient dentist to soften the situation.

Talk about: Whether this framing feels reassuring or too close to a child’s own worries may depend on their circumstances.

Imagination versus reality

Ferdinand uses his imagination to describe dental horrors, shaping Simon’s expectations before Simon encounters the dentist himself.

How the book presents it: Imagination is shown as powerful and frightening, but the story contrasts it with Simon’s later account that the visit did not hurt.

Talk about: If a child is worried, would discussing imagined possibilities separately from likely experiences help them?

Why It May Be Worth Reading

It may offer a humorous way to talk about unfamiliar appointments, showing that frightening predictions and real experiences can differ. Cheeky language and expressive illustrations are likely to support shared reading and discussion.

What Deserves Attention

A child who is already worried may want reassurance before or during this section.

A Conversation Worth Having

What does Simon imagine will happen, and what is different when he meets the dentist? If your child has a forthcoming appointment, which part would they like explained or talked through?

Reading Approach

Read it together before discussing the difference between imagined and actual events. Pause if the dentist scenes feel alarming, and invite your child to describe what would help them feel prepared.

Confidence & Basis

Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.

What remains unconfirmed

Facing an unfamiliar appointment: The ending’s wider consequences and the dentist’s specific actions are not fully described.
Imagination versus reality: The book’s exact illustrations and wording for the imagined horrors are not fully available here.

Nooo! Not the Dentist! | Gecko Press

Limited information

Checked: 21 September 2026.

Relevant to: Facing an unfamiliar appointment; Imagination versus reality

Nooo! Not the Dentist!

Limited information

Checked: 21 September 2026.

Relevant to: Facing an unfamiliar appointment

Benefits, discussion questions and reading approaches are suggestions. Your knowledge of your child remains part of the decision.

Heidi

Heidi

Nooo! Not the Dentist!

At a Glance

Discover

Consider

Personalised Fit

Beyond the Cover

Themes in Context

Facing an unfamiliar appointment

Imagination versus reality

Why It May Be Worth Reading

What Deserves Attention

A Conversation Worth Having

Reading Approach

What remains unconfirmed

Lists This Book Appears In