Review - Fartiste by Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer

Fartiste by Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer
Publisher: Simon and Schuster 2008
Picture Book



Best. Book. EVER!!! This poetic biography of the famous French flatulist (professional farter) Joseph Pujol is wonderful, absurd and very, very funny. Adults and kids will laugh until they pass out or pass gas, whichever comes first. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

"One minute, by chance, he was flexing his gut.
The next, he had sounds coming out of his butt!
Joe gasped with the shock, then roared with delight,
And soon he was sucking in air day and night."

Seriously, this has to be one of the funniest picture books I have read in a very long time. And even though the book is decidedly "potty humor" I would say that it isn't disgustingly so. In the world of "everybody poops" this book can be considered quite tame. And the book has been very informational. I now know that in Mel Brooks movie Blazing Saddles the governor is named after this professional fartiste: William J. LePetomane.

Review - Jack the Tripper by Gene Barretta

Jack the Tripper by Gene Barretta
Publisher: Harcourt Books 2008
Picture Book

What better subject for a children's book then a play on the serial murderer, Jack the Ripper. Honestly, when I saw this title I couldn't quite believe it. Of course nothing should surprise me any more in the children's section. I've come across books such as the ever popular, That's Disgusting by Pittau, or the classic parenting book, Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry.

It seems that for children's books, anything goes. But I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The story is simple... a cloaked tripping madman is striking the students at Benjamin Dizzie Elementary School. And while the students are being tripped and losing their book reports, class candy and going home early from school it seems as if the annual Dizzie Day Parade may have to be cancelled if the madman can't be caught! The story teaches the importance of being honest, and is a modern twist on "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" storyline.

I especially liked the description of the elementary school founder which I think earns repeating here:

"Yes, he was wise. Sure, he was noble. Yet he combed his hair with a fork and his best friend was a monkey."

Odd... the same thing can be said of my ex. Any way, I still believe that this is going to be my new insult.... "Oh yeah... well you comb your hair with a fork and your best friend is a monkey!"

I think this could catch on!