The Gas We Pass: The Story of Farts (My Body Science) (Paperback)

by Shinta Cho (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
This title, which explores all forms of flatulence, is "both informative and blunt," said PW. "The book provides young readerswith solid facts as well as plenty to snicker about." All ages.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 1-A simplistic explanation of human and animal flatulence. The text adequately tells how gas is formed and its characteristics, although it overlooks the role of dairy products in its formation. A basic diagram shows the passage of food and air through the body. The drearily colored, amateur line cartoons depict a family of no particular race and zoo animals with sound balloons, such as "BURP!" and "BAAROOMM" being emitted from both ends. This bodily function that is the source of so much schoolyard humor may be of interest to youngsters, but they won't glean much information from this mediocre presentation.
Martha Gordon, formerly at South Salem Library, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Pub (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929132158
• ISBN-13: 978-1929132157
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #25,181 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smells like a classic to me!, December 18, 2000

By	Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This review is from: The Gas We Pass: The Story of Farts (Hardcover)

"When an elephant farts, the farts are really big." How can you resist a book with an opening line like that? "The Gas We Pass: The Story of Farts" reveals this and many more facts about a basic bodily function. Written by Shinta Cho and translated into English by Amanda Mayer Stinchecum, this is one of those great children's books that doubles as a work of delightful humor for adults.

This book is not only humorous, but also educational. A diagram of the digestive system and other visual aids help to drive home the science of farts. The book is written in a matter-of-fact, totally nonjudgmental tone. The text is supplemented by drawings that have a quirky charm to them.

I suppose that some self-appointed watchdogs of "cultural purity" will whine and pout about a book that celebrates the fart as a joyous, and even noble, part of life. But for the rest of us, "The Gas We Pass" is a treasure.

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars kids book that deals frankly with the mystique of gas, November 13, 2003

By	A. Ryan "Merribelle" (Westminster, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Gas We Pass: The Story of Farts (Hardcover)

I have to admit that I couldn't stop snickering the first time I read this book to my preschooler. It didn't help that the first page illustrates an elephant passing gas with KABOOM! But later on, I realized that this was the way author Shinta Cho intended to desensitize readers to what is a very taboo subject in polite society.

With a frank and straightforward style, The Gas We Pass explains in layman's terms the reason our bodies produce gas, how we expel it and why this is a healthy, natural thing. A variety of people and animals are helpfully illustrated eating and farting. There is no sense of shame or mockery in the subtext, which helps children to avoid associating gas with jokes or rudeness.

The drawings are a bit amateurish and simple, but they complement the text nicely. In all, not an exciting read, but it does explain this bodily function well for children. To this day my now five year old boy never tells fart jokes.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smelly Subject, August 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gas We Pass: The Story of Farts (Hardcover)

Field Dunaway English 101 Book Review Dr. Martin

Passing Gas

This was one of the cleverest ways that I have ever seen anyone explain farting to children. The illustrations are informative, and the context is cut, dry, and right to the point about how humans and animals pass gas. The illustrations appeal to young kids because they are done in bright color and with cartoon characters that children can relate to. If I had kids, I would definitely buy this book for them to read and understand all about this smelly subject. I had no idea that people fart out over two cups of gas in one day; it amazes me that scientists can even calculate farts and their measurements. Between the descriptive illustrations and the easily readable context, I would absolutely recommend this book for children and adults of all ages.