We hold this truth to be self-evident: farting makes kids laugh. Walter, an apologetic-looking dog adopted from the pound, passes gas morning, noon, and night, no matter what he eats, whether it's a 25-pound bag of low-fart dog biscuits, cat food, or fried chicken. On the bright side, "If Uncle Irv let one slip, he just went and stood near Walter." When Father reaches the limit of his patience with Walter's flatulence, he decides the pooch is once again pound-bound, despite Betty and Billy's pleading. Poor Walter knows his days are numbered and "He resolved to hold in his farts forever." That very night, two burglars break into Walter's family's house, and (you can see where this is going) Walter gasses the burglars with a "hideous cloud" that forces them to drop their loot and run into the clutches of the police officers, "choking and gasping for air." The next morning Father and Mother discover Walter has saved the day--or at least their silverware and VCR. "And so the family learned to live with Walter, the hero dog. And that is the end of our tail." (Or is it? Fans will be pleased to discover the next book Walter the Farting Dog: Trouble at the Yard Sale.) Audrey Colman's highly stylized illustrations, imbued with a surreal, Monty Pythonesque collage look, are as absurdly comical as this silly story that is purely powered by natural gas. (Ages 5 to 8) --Karin SnelsonA Q&A with Illustrator Audrey Colman
Q: How did you become interested in children's book illustration? Why did you decide to illustrate this particular book?
A: I didn't plan to do children's book illustration. As a freelance artist, I regularly sent out art samples to various businesses. I sent art to North Atlantic Books in hopes of doing book jackets, and approximately a year later they approached me with Walter the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle. I was very excited because I was a big fan of Kotzwinkle's (not-for-children) book, Dr. Rat, about the wretched reality of the lives of laboratory animals. I'd recommended this book to many over the years and I would never have passed up an opportunity to work on a project with Kotzwinkle. Of course, it wasn't exactly an animal rights-themed picture book, but I expected that we'd agree on how animals would be depicted.
Q: Many people think "potty humor" is inappropriate in literature. Do you think there's a benefit?
A: If it encourages reading and laughing, it's beneficial.
Q: Everyone is asking about the spider that shows up throughout the book. Is there a particular story you’d like to share about the spider?
A: I'm often asked where the spider is on the Fart-Free Biskwee page in Walter the Farting Dog. Sometimes I say that he's hiding in the cupboard on that page, but the truth is that I just forgot that one. I tried to be careful not to leave out the spider in subsequent books so I wouldn't have to apologize again. (Who knew that so many people would notice my goof?) In any case, sorry for my mistakes and any ensuing confusion!
Q: Walter the Farting Dog spent an incredible 75 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list after it was first released in 2001, and there is even a Walter plush toy--that farts when you squeeze it. Are you surprised with how well this book has been received by parents and kids alike?
A: Of course! It's been ten years and five Walter books in the series later, and I'm still not always sure which ingredients are responsible for a book's success or failure!
Ages 5-8. Has there ever been a more self-explanatory title? The family that brings Walter home from the pound quickly discovers his problem. Will a change of diet work? No. And, unfortunately, Walter doesn't seem to have much self-control when it comes to his failing: on the night before he is to be taken back to the pound, he eats a 25-pound bag of dog biscuits ("Even though he knew they made him fart more, he couldn't resist them . . . Very tasty"). When burglars break into the house, Walter puts his blasting ability to good use, and the family comes to value him just as he is. This is similar to Dav Pilkey's Dog Breath (1994), but centering on a more offensive orifice. Is there any reason to purchase this, besides the fact that kids will find it hysterical? The dialog is clever (though two writers--one of whom is veteran author Kotzwinkle--seems excessive), and the art is quite ingenious. Seemingly computer-conceived characters--including Walter complete with a permanently abashed expression--are unique efforts, as are the smoothly colored backgrounds. All in all, it's a gas. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
A New York Times Bestseller!
"Is there any reason to purchase this, besides the fact that kids will find it hysterical? The dialog is clever...and the art is quite ingenious. Seemingly computer-conceived characters—including Walter complete with a permanently abashed expression—are unique efforts, as are the smoothly colored backgrounds. All in all, it's a gas."
—Booklist
“Kotzwinkle and education writer Murray know their audience. Their simple strategy – just keep saying ‘fart’ – should have children rolling in the aisles during read-aloud… Colman specializes in reaction shots; in her surreal collages of photos and patterns, people hold their noses and a cat glances at the culprit.”
—Publishers Weekly
“This children’s book is a delight… The story, by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray, is well-written and eminently readable, both to oneself and aloud, and the art by Audrey Colman is perfectly suited to the subject matter.”
—Comics Buyer’s Guide
“Walter, a loveable and preternaturally gaseous canine, has brought dog flatulence (and as a result, flatulence in general) to the fore like never before… Walter is hailed by kids and grownups alike.”
—Chicago Sun-Times
“A silly, heart-warming story on its own, Walter really comes to life through Colman’s whimsical, funny illustrations.”
—Oakland Tribune
“A whimsical story about one of the more embarrassing aspects of animal (and human) behavior.”
—Poetry Flash
“[Walter the Farting Dog] gives readers and listeners a chance to indulge in what is usually an off-limits topic, one of those things that everybody does but which all are supposed to disavow any knowledge of.”
—The Education Digest
“When you put this cute story together with the wildly original artwork by Audrey Colman, you get an irresistible book that is as hilarious as it is touching… As well as being quite amusing… Walter the Farting Dog has a good message and illustrations that will make all readers smile.”
—Curled Up With A Good Kid’s Book
“Spending at least 75 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller List, Walter the Farting Dog is a delightful children’s book with a title that elicits giggles that continue throughout the book… On its surface, this story may seem to have very little redeeming social value except to be an entertaining book to read to or with your kids (or someone else’s). But if you look a little deeper into its content, perhaps there is more to be learned from Walter. Maybe some of those little imperfections that make kids feel different are really things to be proud of. Maybe even some of the unpleasant things about us can work in our favor…even if you have to look really, really, really hard to see how.”
—Paw Prints Magazine
From the Author
The saga of the rejected mutt who becomes a hero mirrors the publishing history of this book, which was rejected for eleven years before tooting to the top of the bestseller lists.
About the Author
William Kotzwinkle is the author of many children's books, including Trouble in Bugland, E.T. The Extraterrestrial and E.T. The Book of the Green Planet. His books for adults include The Bear Went Over the Mountain, The Fan Man, Fata Morgana, and The Exile. He is the two-time winner of the National Magazine Award for Fiction and the World Fantasy Award. His books are published all over the world.
Glenn Murray spends a lot of time in schools where he often mixes business with pleasure by reading to elementary classes. He has written radio dramas for the CBC, as well as articles on Canadian history and technology. He recently worked with the Lung Association on their Flight for Life project, raising awareness from coast to coast about air quality and the environment.
Audrey Colman is an artist and designer living in Berkeley, California. Her art has been featured in a variety of products from magazines, posters, and other print work to multi-media projects. This is her first children's book. She is also the author and illustrator of Francine, Francine the Beach Party Queen! Visit her art at goodartstudio.com.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
[OUTSIDE THE HOME]Betty and Billy brought Walter home from the dog pound. “Nobody wanted him,” said Billy.“But we love him,” said Betty.“Well, he smells awful,” said their mother. “I think you’d better give him a bath.”[IN THE BATHROOM]Mother walked in and said, “He still smells awful.” And that’s when they got the first clue. The tell-tale bubbles in the water.“He’s probably just a little nervous,” said Mother, hopefully. “His stomach must be upset.”But Walter’s stomach wasn’t upset. Walter’s stomach was fine. He felt perfectly normal. He just farted a lot.
