Growing up in the U.S., losing a tooth was always a big deal. It wasn’t just about the excitement of a wiggly tooth finally coming loose, it was about what came next. That night, I’d carefully place my tiny tooth under my pillow, knowing that by morning, a shiny coin or even a crisp dollar bill would magically appear in its place. The Tooth Fairy was real in my childhood mind, and she was a generous little creature with a knack for sneaking into bedrooms undetected.
Fast forward to my time in Spain, where I first heard about Ratoncito Pérez. At first, I thought people were joking. A tooth-collecting mouse? It sounded like something out of a fairy tale, except it’s a very real and beloved tradition here. Instead of a mystical fairy fluttering in to exchange teeth for money, Spanish kids are visited by a tiny mouse named Ratoncito Pérez, who scurries in at night and leaves behind a small gift.
Curious, I did some digging (pun intended). Turns out, Ratoncito Pérez has been around for well over a century, thanks to a Spanish author named Luis Coloma, who wrote a story about him in 1894 for the young King Alfonso XIII. The story stuck, and to this day, Spanish children eagerly await his visits whenever they lose a tooth. Unlike the American Tooth Fairy, who remains a bit of an enigma, rarely discussed beyond her magical exchanges Ratoncito Pérez has an actual backstory. He lives in a small box inside a building in Madrid (yes, a real place you can visit!), wears tiny clothes, and carries out his important duty with a touch of whimsy.
Beyond the character difference, the way kids experience this tradition is slightly different, too. In the U.S., the amount of money the Tooth Fairy leaves can vary wildly. Some kids get quarters, others get five-dollar bills, and some parents even go all out with glittery notes or tiny letters. In Spain, Ratoncito Pérez tends to be more modest, usually leaving behind a coin or small gift, like stickers or a tiny toy. There’s less of a “how much did you get?” culture and more of a simple, sweet exchange that focuses on the tradition itself rather than the reward.
Another interesting difference? Spanish kids don’t always put their teeth under their pillows. Some leave them in a glass of water on their bedside table, making it easier for Ratoncito Pérez to grab the tooth and leave a surprise behind. I have to admit, that does seem like a more practical approach, no fumbling under pillows and risking waking up a sleeping child!
Experiencing this tradition firsthand in Spain has made me appreciate how universal childhood magic really is. Whether it’s a fairy with wings or a well-dressed mouse, the excitement of losing a tooth and waiting for a surprise the next morning is something kids around the world share. Honestly, I think Ratoncito Pérez might have the edge over the Tooth Fairy, he has an actual storyline, a museum, and a more creative way of collecting teeth.
Either way, I love how each culture adds its own unique twist to childhood traditions. Seeing kids light up when they talk about Ratoncito Pérez reminds me of my own excitement all those years ago, waiting for the Tooth Fairy. And at the end of the day, whether it’s a tiny fairy or a tiny mouse, the magic remains the same.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
