'Wicked' author to discuss latest novel about Tooth Fairy

The tooth fairy's nocturnal activities, replacing uprooted, discarded teeth with coins, are well-known to children, even if the fairy creatures themselves are not.

Gregory Maguire, who wrote 15 books for children before he penned "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West," the best-selling book that turned into a smash hit on Broadway, invites readers into the tooth fairies' world in his new book, "What-the-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy."

Maguire will appear at 7 p.m. today at Naperville Central High School for a program and book signing sponsored by Anderson's Bookshop.

A Massachusetts resident, Maguire said he visited his cousins in Chicago as a child and is looking forward to exploring the Western suburbs.

His new book tells the story of What-the-Dickens, an unconventional tooth fairy whose entry into the world is surrounded by confusion and uncertainty.

"Most tooth fairies are born in groups of 70, like kittens in a litter," Maguire said. What-the-Dickens somehow got separated from his litter-mates.

As he struggles with his search for his true identity and his place in an unfamiliar world, he finds clues.

"He has a thing for teeth, but he doesn't know why," Maguire said. "He makes all of these assumptions about the world, some of which are wrong. He doesn't really fit in."

Then he meets another tooth fairy and begins to reach some understanding.

Maguire said What-the-Dickens' internal conflict is not borne of a clash between good and evil, but springs from his insulation from the truth.

"He doesn't have enough information," Maguire said. "I like him because he's so full of curiosity and nerve and goodness."

Though a story about a tooth fairy might seem, on the surface, to be aimed solely at children, Maguire said the book is for "fourth grade to retirement village."

It hit store shelves last October.

"I have a vast following of adult readers who are very loyal," he said. "Adults have written and said how much they enjoyed it."

Maguire said the book sprouted from a serialized piece he wrote for the Boston Globe.

"Every novel is inspired in a different way, and therefore its growth pattern will be different, too. A novel has some things in common with other novels. It has a beginning, a middle and an end. Each one is different because it interacts with the world in a different way," he said.

While "Wicked," Maguire's story based on L. Frank Baum's Land of Oz and written for adults, was adapted for the theater and has been produced on stages all over the world, Maguire said he doubts "What-the-Dickens" will have a similar fate.

"I doubt it would become a stage play because tooth fairies are so small," he said.

But he has had discussions with Hollywood executives about the possibility of filming a movie based on the book.

Maguire also allows for the possibility of a sequel.

"It is a self-contained story at the moment, but I am always open to a sequel," he said. "The idea has to be pesteringly interesting and unavoidable."

If you go

What: Appearance by author Gregory Maguire

When: 7 p.m. today

Where: Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave., Naperville

Tickets: $25 for presentation and copy of "What-the-Dickens"; $5 for additional ticket without book

Info: (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com or gregorymaguire.com