Warning: This book may cause flatulence. Walter is a fine dog, except for one small problem: he has gas. He can't help it; it's just the way he is. Fortunately, the kids Billy and Betty love him regardless, but Father says he's got to go! Poor Walter, he's going to the dog pound tomorrow. And then, in the night, burglars strike. Walter has his chance to be a hero. A children's beloved classic, this story will have kids rolling on the floor with laughter. Adults are permitted to laugh too.
Walter the Farting Dog
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
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 Snelson
A 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!
From Publishers Weekly
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.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
99 of 109 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Is this the greatest kids' book ever? I certainly wouldn't try to make a case for that. Does it deserve the venom that some of the reviewers have directed at it? Hardly, but some people are coming as close as they can to alleging plagarism on the part of the author. Fart plagarism --- I never thought I would live to see the day.
Honestly, if anything written from this point forward involving dogs and flatulence is immediately going to be subjected to allegations of plagarism, then we might as well take the allegations to their logical extremes. I would note that John Irving featured a farting dog in the 1981 novel "Hotel New Hampshire," which I guess means all farting dog books since then are simply John Irving ripoffs.
For those reviewers who were shocked, shocked I tell you, that the book's content was, dare I say it, a little crude --- I would simply suggest that you read the book's title a little more diligently. There is no hidden agenda here --- what you see is what you get, and really, it is not nearly as vulgar as it could be. Good grief.
As to the book itself --- it is a fairly entertaining book with amusingly bizarre artwork and some pretty amusing dialogue. An adult with some talent with sound effects could have a great deal of fun entertaining the youngsters, as I did. Books that are as much fun for the adult reader as the youthful listener don't come down the pike every day.
Honestly, if anything written from this point forward involving dogs and flatulence is immediately going to be subjected to allegations of plagarism, then we might as well take the allegations to their logical extremes. I would note that John Irving featured a farting dog in the 1981 novel "Hotel New Hampshire," which I guess means all farting dog books since then are simply John Irving ripoffs.
For those reviewers who were shocked, shocked I tell you, that the book's content was, dare I say it, a little crude --- I would simply suggest that you read the book's title a little more diligently. There is no hidden agenda here --- what you see is what you get, and really, it is not nearly as vulgar as it could be. Good grief.
As to the book itself --- it is a fairly entertaining book with amusingly bizarre artwork and some pretty amusing dialogue. An adult with some talent with sound effects could have a great deal of fun entertaining the youngsters, as I did. Books that are as much fun for the adult reader as the youthful listener don't come down the pike every day.
40 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Let's face it, even if adults put on a disapproving face when their kids start talking about farts, deep down they know (as do their kids) that farts are just plain...funny...and something that toes the line between disgusting and hilarious.
So Walter is the perfect character, a dog who has a gas problem.....and quite a problem it is. Just reading this book makes most adults and kids break into giggles and it is just plain fun to read - again and again.
So Walter is the perfect character, a dog who has a gas problem.....and quite a problem it is. Just reading this book makes most adults and kids break into giggles and it is just plain fun to read - again and again.
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Yes, it's a little crude, but it also deals with something that we all have and makes it funny. The tales of Walter and his gas had me laughing so hard I was crying. Young kids will get a kick out of this.
If you do story reading to yound children at schools, this would be a fun book.
If you do story reading to yound children at schools, this would be a fun book.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Last Christmas, I went to find my little brother a present. He is five yrs old and loves books. I am away at college and wanted to get him something that we could read and have fun with together. After searching for a while, I came across Walter the Farting Dog. I remember when I was a kid and how funny farting was- I knew my brother would love it. When he opened it and I read it to him, he couldn't stop laughing and made me read it over and over again. Still, to this day, he asks me to read it to him when I come home and he even brings it when he comes to visit me at school! Every page even has a spider hidden in the picture- which was fun to find. This book will make any kid laugh, and it will bring any parent, or big sister, back to their childhood!
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Books are like farts, some make you laugh and some (lke this one) just stink
July 21, 2011
By kaw
Format:Hardcover
When I worked at Borders during the holiday break one December during my undergrad years, Walter the Farting Dog had just made its debut and I was at once amazed and slightly appalled at how many people came in asking for it, right down to embarrassed grandmothers whispering the book's title with sheepish sideways glances. I really never felt compelled to read it, but then I recently stumbled across the reviews of some of the newer books in the series (yes, it's a series!) and I was bemused by the variety of opinions--it seems like most people either love it or hate it. So, my curiosity was piqued again and I decided to see for myself what the fuss is about.
I must say that, unlike most reviewers, I did not find the story of this flatulent canine either endearing or evil. What fascinates me is that it has managed to become such a popular book as I personally found it rather bland and forgettable. The storytelling was not nearly as witty or humorous as it could have been, and the big climax was a bit far-fetched. I also didn't appreciate the message of feeding the dog anything (from cat food to junk food) to make it stop tooting. (Also, I did not like the illustrations one iota. Just not my style at all.)
Sure, there's a "good message" about accepting someone the way they are ("farts and all"*) and I do think the author meant well, there are *far* better books with that same basic message out there (like "Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate). Which means that I guess this book's enduring appeal is that it is full of illustrations of gas coming out of a dog's behind and, good heavens but dare I wish there was a better fart book out there? Truly, I am not above enjoying some "potty humor" if it is at least remotely clever.... Read more ›
I must say that, unlike most reviewers, I did not find the story of this flatulent canine either endearing or evil. What fascinates me is that it has managed to become such a popular book as I personally found it rather bland and forgettable. The storytelling was not nearly as witty or humorous as it could have been, and the big climax was a bit far-fetched. I also didn't appreciate the message of feeding the dog anything (from cat food to junk food) to make it stop tooting. (Also, I did not like the illustrations one iota. Just not my style at all.)
Sure, there's a "good message" about accepting someone the way they are ("farts and all"*) and I do think the author meant well, there are *far* better books with that same basic message out there (like "Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate). Which means that I guess this book's enduring appeal is that it is full of illustrations of gas coming out of a dog's behind and, good heavens but dare I wish there was a better fart book out there? Truly, I am not above enjoying some "potty humor" if it is at least remotely clever.... Read more ›
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I.... You have to LIGHTEN UP A LITTLE. We all need a good laugh every now and then. If you can't laugh at this book then you are lacking a sense of humor. I received this book from an adult friend (co-worker)of mine for my birthday. We all just died laughing reading it. You are talking kindergarten teachers here. Poor Walter, his facial expressions are just precious. The illustrations are wonderful. Thanks for giving us something to laugh about!!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
a great read
Walter the farting dog was awesome! I liked the part when he farted across the room that part was awesome too!
Published 1 day ago by smart buyer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderfully funny
I loved this book its so funny and its a good book for people who likes dogs and likes funny books.
Published 4 days ago by Linda Caravelli
5.0 out of 5 stars
We have a dog named Walter, this was perfect
We have a dog named Walter, this was perfect for Christmas. Cute book, the grandkids loved it. Very fun and creative.
Published 4 days ago by Willard
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read
A great bed time story for kids. Very funny! A great family book book especially if you really have a farting dog.
Published 21 days ago by Theresa Dixon
1.0 out of 5 stars
Crude and revolting
Took an acquaintance's word that this book was hilarious and ordered it for my grandsons. Then, too late, went to the library, read it, and wished the P.O. had a "Stop! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mollybawn
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is hilarious!
We were staying over at my son's house while on vacation. So, I offered to read a bedtime story to my 5 year grand daughter. Read more
Published 1 month ago by E.Valuator
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Hilarious!
This was by far the best children's book I have purchased in a long time. My kids and I laughed the entire time we were reading this book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Gaming Enthusiast
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good story
My three kids and I laughed at the quirky tale of a dog not so perfect. But in the end, heroic and deserving.
Published 2 months ago by C. Flores
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Farting Review
This book is absolutely hilarious! It's good for ages 7-5,000. Defined by love ,affection and smells, this book is a great laugh.
Published 3 months ago by Sophie Bastian
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun book
This is a fun book for the little ones. A dog whose annoying intestinal issues eventually save the day is an interesting premise. Read more
Published 3 months ago by audio lover
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