Walter the Farting Dog: A Triumphant Toot and Timeless Tale That's Touched Hearts for Decades--A laugh- out-loud funny picture book

by William Kotzwinkle, Glenn Murray, Audrey Colman (Illustrator)

Overview

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER: Join flatulent dog Walter on a windy adventure in this laugh-out-loud children’s classic where every toot tells a funny tale!

Over 1 million copies sold—and over 1 million giggles shared!

Meet Walter, a fine dog with flatulence. Despite his distinctive trait, he’s loved by his siblings Billy and Betty. But Father has had enough! On the brink of being sent to the dog pound, Walter’s unexpected asset turns into his superpower when burglars break in. With a heroic toot, he saves the day and earns his place in the family’s heart.

This hilarious tale for children ages 4-8 (and adults who aren’t afraid to laugh) features surreal illustrations by Audrey Colman and an absurdly comical storyline. Recommended by parents, librarians, and kids who know a thing or two about funny business, Walter the Farting Dog is a timeless story about acceptance, love, and the incredible power of being oneself . . . farts and all!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781583943991
Publisher:	North Atlantic Books
Publication date:	10/18/2011
Series:	Walter the Farting Dog , #1
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	7 MB
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

William Kotzwinkle is the author of eighteen children's books, including The World is Big and I'm So Small, Tales from the Empty Notebook, and The Nap Master. His books for adults include The Bear Went Over the Mountain, The Fan Man, Fata Morgana, and Doctor Rat. 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.

Glen Murray is a supervisor for educational technology in New Brunswick, Canada. He 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.

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 www.goodartstudio.com.

Read an Excerpt

[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.

Editorial Reviews

Here's a companion to Taro Gomi's Everyone Poops, albeit with less educational value. Walter, a fat gray dog with an apologetic look on his face, comes home from the pound with two children. He has incurable gas, and his family decides to take him back. The night before he is to go, Walter sadly devours "the 25-pound bag of low-fart dog biscuits the vet had prescribed for him, which had made him fart more.... A gigantic gas bubble began to build inside him." Wouldn't you know, two burglars break in, and Walter's liability becomes his asset. Predictable stuff, but Kotzwinkle (Trouble in Bugland) and education writer Murray know their audience. Their simple strategy just keep saying "fart" should have children rolling in the aisles during read-aloud. Newcomer Colman likewise fixates on one visual gag, Walter with steam blasting out his backside. Unlike Babette Cole, whose Dr. Dog takes a mock-scientific approach to digestion, Colman specializes in reaction shots; in her surreal collages of photos and patterns, people hold their noses and a cat glances at the culprit. Yes, this lowbrow endeavor could be a crowd-pleaser but, like its topic, its disruptive effects will tend to linger. Ages 4-8. (Oct.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

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 Publisher