Walter the Farting Dog

by William Kotzwinkle

Other authorsGlenn Murray (Author), Audrey Colman (Illustrator)

Hardcover, 2001

Status

Available

Call number

813.54

Description

Walter the dog creates problems with his farts but becomes a hero when burglars enter the house.

Publication

Frog Children's Books (2001), 32 pages

User reviews

LibraryThing member absurdeist

What kind of horrible message does a book like Walter the Farting Dog send to our precious children? That it's okay to fart? That farting is somehow...funny? Or that breaking wind repeatedly at an opportune time might make you the family hero someday when burglars try to rob your house?

For too long

our children have been brought up believing that flatulence, be it canine or Homo sapien in origin, is hysterical, something to joke about. But it's not hysterical; it's not something to joke about, and this book did not make me laugh. I swear by God it didn't.

Even my three-year old knows better when it comes to excretory etiquette. When one of his older sisters toots (never me), he immediately goes all wide eyed, and declares, "ewwwww, that's dis-gus-tus!"

And it is disgustus isn't it, especially when you turn every page of Walter the Farting Dog, a supposed children's book for crying out loud, only to see a big 'ol smoke cloud-illustration being rudely ejected from Walter's behind, and then wafting away like some chemical weapon of gass destruction straight into the olfactory centers of Walter's nose-plugging human companions. Thank goodness this book is not a scratch 'n sniff!

When Billy and Betty's father threatens to send Walter back to the pound where, I believe, he rightfully belongs, they boo-hoo something awful as kids are prone to do, not caring, apparently, that their dear dog has turned their parent's home into a veritable fart factory!

I hinted at this book's ending in the beginning so I won't spoil it here. Suffice to say, I personally prefer The Cat in the Hat to Walter the Farting Dog. A) Because The Cat in the Hat is about a cat and not about a dog; and, B) because The Cat in the Hat does not pass gas.

Books about cats are just plain classier than books about dogs, anyway, because cats are classier than dogs period, particularly classier than problematically flatulent dogs like Walter. And were a cat ever to fart, which I don't think they do, but if they did, I'm just saying, they'd know to saunter off somewhere and do their business politely, in private, like a woman.

All in all, some kids might like this book (I don't know why) - maybe if you make fart noises with your lips or armpits while you're reading it to them, they might like it - but I think, whatever it's worth, that Walter the Farting Dog stinks.

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LibraryThing member satyridae

Very sweet, if a book about dog farts can be sweet. It's silly and over-the-top and I think that little kids, especially little kids with dogs, would really dig it. We read it out loud and all of us here giggled at least once. Except our dim dog, who didn't get it.

LibraryThing member bplma

Poor Walter! He can't help it if all his favorite foods make him fart--loudly and stinkily. Mom and Dad -- to the dismay of their 2 kids--have issued an ultimatum...either Walter stops farting or he goes! In the end Walter's talent for stinky farts foils some thieves who break in while the family

is out, and Walter the farting dog is not only safe, he's a hero!A fun to read-a-loud picture book sure to please every crowd. Colman's colorful, fantastic illustrations have a playful quality that adds to the fun.
03/07

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LibraryThing member Leshauck

Grades 1-8. All kids think farts are funny and some get embarrassed. This book takes something so amusing to kids and makes it seem so wonderful. Great life lessons represented in this book.

LibraryThing member Reaperess360

This is a great kids book that can also be found entirely in English. The Latin version is great for Latin students in high school or college and would make a great gift for a Latin teacher or professor. The story itself is heartwarming and funny. Children can learn not to be embarassed by normal

bodily functions while reading about a farting dog. Giggles are definitely ensured.

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LibraryThing member mhackman

Ha, ha. What a hilarious treat and bizarre story. Walter's owner sells him for being so stinky and Walter ends up becoming a hero before being returned to the original owners. Farting is always funny, I don't care how old yo are.

LibraryThing member Brooke28

This is a very funny book in which Walter, the dog, can't stop farting. If the farting problem isn't solved, he will have to be given away. The family works hard at trying to solve this smelly dilemma.

LibraryThing member JeroenBerndsen

I picked this up in the states on vacation for my brother and we found it hilarious, especially the illustrations! I think any kid would totally love this book. And perhaps not just kids.... Too bad the follow-ups are so hard to come by in europe...

LibraryThing member kimcc

I think most children would enjoy the book because it uses the word "fart" so often (which young kids get a big kick out of) but also teaches a gentle lesson about accepting those who are different. I also think it's a tad scary since robbers break into the house, essentially wipe it clean, and tie

up Walter-- all while the family is upstairs sleeping.

This is a good book for public libraries to feature on a display during Banned Books week. It is not as controversial as other picture books that have been challenged--in fact some patrons may be surprised to see it on the display.

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LibraryThing member Rita6

What a fun book that all boys will indeed enjoy, a story of a dog that just have too much gas. This book is in third person, the setting is in the country. Everyone has gas, but this dog use his gas to save the day.

LibraryThing member Meggle

A very cute and funny story about a dog whom the kids bring home from the pound one day. The family soon finds out that Walter the dog has a little bit of a problem, a farting problem. No matter what they do Walter can't stop farting and they decide that Walter has to go but in the end Walter and

his farts end up saving the day so he gets to stay.

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LibraryThing member DireWeevil

What a magnificant book! Filled with laughs and tremendous pictures that simply cause the reader to laugh uncontrollably. A better farting book, I know not of one.

LibraryThing member kredlove

Kids think this book is just the funniest thing because it talks about farting.

LibraryThing member biblio_girl

Walter is a wonderful dog, except for one small problem. Gas. He can't help it. It's just the way he is. Fortunately, Billy and Betty love love him in spite of his gas problem. But Father says he's got to go because he smells up the house. He saves the day though when he scares away robbers with

his smelly gas.
This book is very funny and would be good for helping people who feel misjudged or out of place.

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LibraryThing member JenniferEckley

I liked the story, Walter the Farting Dog, by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray. The big idea in this story is a dog with excessive smelly gas. There is humor in this book when the dog’s owners try many things to get the dog to stop passing gas. They take him to the vet and he suggests a new

diet. They try everything from dog food to cat food, and even fried chicken. Nothing seems to work! The author made Walter a hero in the story. Walter is seen in a different light when his owners’ home is robbed. He had been holding a gas bubble as long as he could, but when he “farted” his explosive gas stunk the bad guys out of the house. They dropped the family’s valuables and ran away. They didn’t get far, the police were down the street and saw the two stinkers running. After his heroism, Walter was loved just the way he was, smelly.

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LibraryThing member lmcswe1

This is the kind of book that appeals to children who don’t necessarily like to read. It falls into a similar category as “Captain Underpants” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” What makes this book so appealing is definitely the plot. It is creative and has a lot of the “potty humor” that

kids love so much. What makes me love this book so much, however, is the illustrations. I’m not sure how to describe them, but they are definitely unique and almost collage like. The ridiculousness of the illustrations just adds to the far-fetched nature of the book. The book is unique in every way, and what kid wouldn’t want to read about a farting dog? The main idea of this book is that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.

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LibraryThing member shane54

A family has a difficult time having a farting dog at home. They take Walter (the farting dog) to the vet & is given a new diet. This, however, does not help the dog with his flatulence. Walter's farting ends up saving the family from a pair of burglars & he becomes a hero at the end of the

tail:)

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LibraryThing member mzellh1

I liked this book for a few reasons. The first reason is that the illustrations are different from many other picture books. The illustrations are silly and look a little more realistic. The second reason is that even though the story line is silly, the language teaches children new vocabulary such

as "rectal flatulence" instead of "farting." The third reason is that the plot is overall a humorous, but still includes multiple conflicts and resolutions. The big idea of this story is to accept someone for who they truly are.

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LibraryThing member allisonpollack

Summary: Walter is a great dog with a very bad flatulence problem. The kids in his family love him but their father says he has to go back to the dog pound. However, there is a burglar that breaks into their house and Walter has the chance to be a hero.

Personal connection: My parents got me this

book when I was younger and it always made me laugh so hard. This is not your average book, but it is so funny!

Class use: Use this book to help teach students that even our faults can be turned into strengths. Have students pick a weakness they have and explore how that makes them unique and interesting.

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LibraryThing member empress8411

My nephew received this book as a Christmas gift, along with the stuffed dog that actually farts. So when I found a copy at the used bookshop, I had to have it. It's hilarious, using humor to teach the reader to accept people despite flaws - even smelly ones. The art is a bit odd for my taste. It's

had a cut-from-the-magazine feel, but it still conveys the store in bright colors and shapes. A fun read for kids and parents.

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LibraryThing member eearly15

Funny fictional story about a dog that has gas problems, that children love no matter what. Despite the dog becoming a annoyance due to his constant flatulence, the mother and father accepted Walter the dog after they woke in the morning and found out the dog saved the family's possessions from

being robed and protecting the family. The story shows a dog that shows concern about being a burden in the family, face a case that could be real, and teaches children that it is OK to have flatulence, and to not make fun of others when these normal body functions take place. This colorful book is illustrated in a cartoon art form and the dog's representation captures the reader's eyes because there is always a flatulence cloud hovering around Walter.

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LibraryThing member mhenderson93

To use this book for synthesizing worked very well as the story progresses you can see how your thinking changes on every page.

LibraryThing member JaniceBrody

Walter has a problem, he can't stop farting and his family's dad is ready to take him back to the animal shelter.

LibraryThing member DiamondDog

You know, I'm all for fart humor, but I just could not get into this book, or the other Walter books that have since come out. I guess I like some sort of story in my picture books.

LibraryThing member LibrarianRyan

This book came out 18 years ago, and I have to say, it still holds up. I know many children’s librarians were confused by my love of this wonderful pup, but I can't help it. Maybe he reminds me of my past and present stinky dogs, maybe he reminds me of a few family members, but I am not ashamed

to say I love Walter the Farting Dog and all his adventures. About the only thing that dates this book is the reference to the VHS player, otherwise it is just as much fun now as it was then. Plus, the illustrations are just so unusual and unique. If you have not checked out Walter in the past, it is high time you do so.

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