Enamel the Camel by Dr. Mike King, illustrated by Rick Ellis; Oakland, California: The Collective Book Studio (c) 2022; ISBN 9781951-412500; 30 pages; $16.95.
SAN DIEGO — Mike King, a Jewish pediatric dentist, has transported “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” from the North Pole to the Middle East. In the process, he changed him into Enamel the Camel and made his teeth, rather than his nose, shine brightly enough to help his fellow camels find their way through a blinding sandstorm.
And then all the other camels loved him….
Though the story in this variation is familiar, adult readers will definitely enjoy some of the shtick that “Dr. Mike” employs in its telling. In his real life, Dr. Mike doubles as a standup comedian. His well-honed sense of humor is evident in his recitation of this desert tale.
Enamel lives in the village of, wait for it, Camel-lot. His well-brushed teeth glow “like the moon on a cloudless desert night.” His girl friend is Camella. His friend is Humpbert. His nemesis is Dromedharry, who like Enamel, is a dromedary, or one-humped camel. At school dances, camels enjoy the music of a hump-hop band. For exercise, they like to butt slide down sand dunes.
Dromedharry, who was the strongest, tallest, and fastest of the camels, couldn’t lead the herd out of the sandstorm, but Enamel, with his bright white teeth, could by giving his toothiest smile.
Once the camels reached safety, they too wanted to brush their teeth, which is not surprising considering the pedagogical author is a dentist and a “flossopher.”
After they reached safety, Dromedharry asked Enamel if he would show him how to brush his teeth. “Absotoothly!” Enamel responded. In appreciation for his efforts, Enamel receives the “Acameldy Award.”
Rick Ellis’s illustrations bestow on each of the camels a distinct personality, or should I say, “camelality.” Kids will enjoy the tale. Adults will too. Dentists may find it incisive.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor emeritus of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com