Walter the Farting Dog Hardcover - 2001

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.

Media reviews

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

Citations

• Booklist, 02/15/2002, Page 1020
• Booksense '76 Childrens Fall02, 08/01/2002, Page 1
• Publishers Weekly, 10/08/2001, Page 63