Walter the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray

Walter the Farting Dog

Authors: William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray

Illustrator: Audrey Colman

Publisher: North Atlantic Books

Date of Publication: 2001

Format: Hardcover

Page Count: 32 Pages

Cost: $14.95

ISBN: 1-58394-053-7

Reading Level: Ages 5-8

Plot Summary: Walter the Farting Dog is the story of Walter, a dog who is rescued from the pound by two siblings named Betty and Billy. Walter is a good companion in every way, except for the fact that he has uncontrollable flatulence. After trying many different diets to no avail, the children’s parents decide Walter must be returned to the pound. However, Walter has a chance to prove his place in the family when two burglars break into the house in the middle of the night. This book contains a great deal of potty humor.

Evaluation: This book is quite funny in a rather appalling, never spoken about way. Walter’s excessive problems with flatulence are not disguised, but rather emphasized on every page of the book, both in the text and in the illustrations. The excessive potty humor and graphic illustrations might be a turn off to the adults who read it, but the combination makes for a surefire hit with preschool aged children, particularly boys. As a bonus, the book is dedicated to ‘everyone who’s ever felt misjudged or misunderstood,’ and it’s clear that there is a nice message lurking behind the book’s crude humor.

Reader’s Annotation: Walter’s farts are too much for his family to bear, but they become invaluable when burglars break into their house late one night.

Links:

Reading, ‘Riting, and ‘Rithmetic: Integrating Literacy Throughout the Curriculum with High Interest Children’s Literature

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