Children's Reads

Probably my all-time favorite children's book is Walter the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle. I know some parents probably won't appreciate the crass subject - Walter is a farting dog after all...but the message behind the gas is truly a good one. Walter is all about acceptance and love. His family is deeply troubled by his gaseous emissions and threatens to return him to the pound. In order to remain with the family he loves, Walter desperately tries to change who he is by holding in his farts. As the night progesses, and Walter painfully tries to keep his gas to himself, the family's home is burglarized. Walter is unable to keep his farts in, and ends up saving the day by gassing the burglars and allowing the police to catch them. The family realize that even though Walter is stinky, he is part of the family and they love him, despite his faults.

I feel Walter appeals on many levels. Little kids love him because they love farts...how funny is it for them to hear all about Walter's farting problem? Older kids and adults are amused by the witty humor infused throughout the story. The illustations are also great. I've given Walter to all the kids (young and old) in my life...