From the Philippines to Aotearoa: The Kiwi-Filipino Heart of Magic Toothies
The story of Magic Toothies did not begin in a boardroom; it began at a family dinner table in Wellington, New Zealand. It started with a simple, whimsical drawing by our youngest daughter, Javy that she drew over twenty years ago. Her childhood imagination sparked a delightful idea: a "Toothy" that transforms into a magical helper when its tooth is clean and bright, assisting the Tooth Fairy in all her duties. As a keeper of treasured memories, Jennifer safely stored that adorable drawing in a memory box, where it waited for two decades for its moment to shine. Today, that spark has grown into a vibrant, multi-sensory world of literature and music, brought to life by the husband-and-wife team Alexander and Jennifer Domingo.
The Power of Two: A Shared Creative Vision
Based in the windy hills of Wellington, Alexander and Jennifer Domingo both write, create, and oversee every aspect of the Magic Toothies brand. Their partnership is the foundation of everything they do. Their love story began in high school in the Philippines and has stood the test of time; after thirty-five years together, their commitment and love shine through in every project they undertake.Their last name, Domingo, translates to "Sunday" in English. Inspired by the joy of family time and togetherness, they chose the pen name Alexander Sunday to represent their combined creative voice. Together, they are dedicated to celebrating multiculturalism and making dental health a magical adventure for families everywhere—from their first home in the Philippines to their second home here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
From Adversity to Art: The 2022 Turning Point
In 2022, life took a dramatic turn for the Domingo family. While working as a dedicated nurse, Jennifer suffered an injury from a tough fall, requiring her to take a necessary break to focus on her recovery. It was during this challenging period of downtime that a beautiful surprise emerged. While decluttering their home together, she and Alexander rediscovered their daughter Javy’s original drawing from around twenty years prior. This chance encounter reignited Jennifer’s passion for writing. With Alexander’s unwavering support, Jennifer poured her heart and soul into crafting the world of Ariam and the Magic Toothies. As she navigated her health challenges, creating this enchanting world provided her with new found joy and purpose. Magic Toothies became more than just a book series; it evolved into a refuge, a solace, and a labor of love—proving that beauty and joy can thrive even in the face of adversity.
The Heartbeat of the Home: Our Lives Beyond the Books
Alexander and Jennifer’s creative pursuits are balanced by a deep-seated commitment to their community and the environment. Jennifer continues her calling as a dedicated nurse, providing essential care and comfort to those in need. Meanwhile, Alexander works as an engineer setter at a plastic recycling facility in New Zealand, where he is committed to contributing to environmental sustainability and a greener future for the next generation. At the heart of their world is their family. They are the proud parents of three daughters—the light of their lives—and share their home with two beloved fur babies: an adorable golden retriever named Toktok and their sweet companion, Babie. Both are cherished members of the household and serve as honorary members of the Magic Toothies family, often providing the "real-world" inspiration for the themes of love and companionship found in their stories.
Celebrating Creative Milestones: Funded by NZ On Air Music
What makes Magic Toothies feel special is the natural harmony between the books and the music. Alexander and Jennifer have always felt that children connect more deeply with stories when they can sing and dance along. Jennifer handles the songwriting, while Alexander brings those compositions to life with his vocals, giving each track a warm, soulful feel. Their musical journey reached an unexpected milestone when their single, "Sweetie Doggie," was selected for funding through the NZ On Air Music New Music Kids scheme. This support was a welcome surprise, allowing the duo to record high-quality music that brings a professional touch to their project. For Alexander and Jennifer, these songs are more than just an add-on—they are a way to make the world of Ariam a little more magical and interactive for every child.
Celebrating Roots: A Favorite for Kiwi-Filipino Tamariki
Wellington became a second home for the Domingo family following their life-changing move from the Philippines. As a Filipino-Kiwi family, Alexander and Jennifer recognized a profound need for better representation within children’s literature. This insight led to the creation of their bilingual English and Filipino-Tagalog editions, which have since become deeply loved by Kiwi-Filipino tamariki (children) across Aotearoa. By offering stories in both languages, they empower families to maintain a meaningful connection to their heritage while navigating life in New Zealand. This steadfast commitment to multiculturalism has transformed Magic Toothies into a local favorite in Wellington and a sought-after resource for educators looking to celebrate diversity and foster inclusion in the classroom.
A Simple Mission: Spreading Kindness and Compassion
Magic Toothies represents a heartfelt mission to nurture young minds in a world where kindness and compassion are needed most. Alexander and Jennifer are dedicated to sharing this gift with families everywhere, weaving messages of love into every story Jennifer crafts and every melody Alexander sings. Ariam and the Magic Toothies collection is available online 24/7 at magictoothies.com. While the digital store is always open, the couple maintains a personal touch by managing all customer support and shipping themselves from Monday to Friday. They invite families across New Zealand and beyond to join them in discovering the power of imagination—one smile at a time.
The Story Behind the First Book: A Boy's Wish to the Tooth Fairy
It was inspired from...
The Story Behind the Second Book: A Wish to Save the Big Tree
It was inspired from...
The Story Behind the Third Book: A Wish for the Lost Dogs
It was inspired from...
Get to know us
We're Honoured to Share Our Journey!
Our FIRST-EVER feature blog from Hey Māmā to their fast-growing community of parents in New Zealand: Books That Make a Difference: Why A Wish to Save the Big Tree is the Perfect Christmas Gift for Kids
Tune in to our FIRST-EVER radio interview as we proudly share our book with the Filipino Community in New Zealand
Reviews
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I picked up this book for my granddaughter to enjoy during our nighttime reading sessions, and it was an absolute hit! She giggled with delight when the children were happy and grew teary-eyed when Kary, the tree, was cut down. The story drew her in completely, but what truly captivated us were the stunning illustrations—they brought the tale to life in such a vivid way. A heartfelt kudos to the author for creating such a beautiful and engaging book!
- Tiamo -
"I really like this story, my children are all grown past this but I know they would have loved the idea of magic tooth fairy dust. The story is well written and an easy read as a bedtime story for your little ones. Beautiful illustrations bring Ariam and her magical Toothies to life and it carries a nice moral and message for children." - Cheryl C.
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"What a great book! 📚The illustrations are beautiful and colorful🌈. It truly makes it captivating for the children👪. The storyline itself is very engaging and fun for any children to follow. It shares a heartwarming❤ message about kindness. Overall, would recommend for anybody!"- Rosalie
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"With endearing characters and brilliant illustrations, this is the perfect book to ease your child’s mind about losing that first tooth. What’s more, the engaging story encourages good dental hygiene and sets children up for success. I highly recommend it to all families."- Review Fairy
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Proudly Based in Aotearoa New Zealand
Magic Toothies is based right here in New Zealand, bringing fun and educational dental health stories to Kiwi kids and families across Aotearoa.
We're passionate about making dental care exciting for children in New Zealand and beyond, with books that combine storytelling, music, and the magic of the tooth fairy tradition.