📖 Overview
Walter the Farting Dog tells the story of a rescue dog with chronic flatulence who joins a new family. The parents struggle to cope with Walter's digestive issues despite their children's love for him.
The narrative follows Walter's attempts to overcome his embarrassing problem through various remedies and solutions. His family faces mounting pressure from neighbors and visitors due to the persistent odors.
This illustrated children's book uses humor and heart to explore themes of unconditional acceptance and the bonds between pets and their families. The story demonstrates how perceived flaws can become endearing qualities that make each individual unique.
👀 Reviews
Parents and children find the book silly and humorous, with many reporting it gets consistent laughs during bedtime reading. Teachers note it helps reluctant readers engage with books.
Readers liked:
- The colorful, detailed illustrations
- The message about accepting differences
- How it normalizes bodily functions for young children
- The dog's redemptive story arc
Readers disliked:
- Some parents felt it encouraged inappropriate behavior
- A few found the premise too crude
- Several mentioned children became fixated on potty humor after reading
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.16/5 (19,800+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.7/5 (2,400+ ratings)
Common reader comments:
"My 4-year-old requests this nightly" - Amazon reviewer
"Got my son interested in reading" - Goodreads user
"Gross but gets kids giggling" - Barnes & Noble review
"The illustrations tell as much of the story as the text" - School Library Journal reader
📚 Similar books
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A scientific explanation of how different animals handle bodily functions presents this natural process to children through straightforward text and illustrations.
Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants by Dav Pilkey Two fourth-grade boys face off against a mad scientist who changes people's names to toilet humor-based alternatives.
The Gas We Pass: The Story of Farts by Shinta Cho This non-fiction picture book explains the biology of passing gas through simple diagrams and matter-of-fact text.
Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder by Jo Nesbø Two children help an inventor create a special powder that produces super-powered farts with unexpected consequences.
The Day My Butt Went Psycho by Andy Griffiths A boy must save the world when all human posteriors decide to detach themselves and revolt against their owners.
Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants by Dav Pilkey Two fourth-grade boys face off against a mad scientist who changes people's names to toilet humor-based alternatives.
The Gas We Pass: The Story of Farts by Shinta Cho This non-fiction picture book explains the biology of passing gas through simple diagrams and matter-of-fact text.
Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder by Jo Nesbø Two children help an inventor create a special powder that produces super-powered farts with unexpected consequences.
The Day My Butt Went Psycho by Andy Griffiths A boy must save the world when all human posteriors decide to detach themselves and revolt against their owners.
🤔 Interesting facts
🐾 The book was inspired by a real dog named Walter, who was indeed known for his excessive gas and belonged to a friend of the authors.
📚 Despite being rejected by multiple publishers who thought the subject matter was too crude, the book became a massive success and spawned four sequels.
🌟 The book series has been translated into multiple languages and has sold over 1.4 million copies worldwide.
🎭 In 2004, plans were announced for a movie adaptation starring the Jonas Brothers, though the project ultimately didn't materialize.
🎨 The distinctive illustrations by Audrey Colman were created using a combination of painting and digital collage techniques, giving Walter his uniquely expressive appearance.