No One likes a Fart

No One Likes A Fart by Zoë Foster Blake
Illustrated by Adam Nickel
Published by Penguin Books
Date: 13 November 2017
R.R.P. $19.99

No One Likes a Fart…well it depends on your age because some people like them because they think they’re kind of funny.  While Farts are funny, I was not as engaged with this book as everyone else seems to be.  Now don’t get me wrong I am not saying that I don’t like books on this topic because I know they are a whole lot of fun to read to children, but it didn’t make me want to read it again.  There were positives though and I think Zoë Foster Blake has a talent for writing and will have a captive audience.

One of the first things I thought about when reading this book is that my mum is going to be horrified when she reads my review, she hates the F word…the Fart word…it is one of her least favourite words.  But then I realised she also has a sense of humor and she might overlook her least favourite words…maybe.

The book is very Australian which is seen through phrases like “Ohhh! Ja-have to, Jeff?” The Ja doesn’t get anymore Australian and it is refreshing to see the book in true Aussie style.  I felt like some of the pictures and characters were Clichë such as the Mum, Dad and two kids, boy and dog, and the majority of farts the men are blamed for – reality being well all do it! I love the dogs name – Chops, and all the different references to bottom burps aka farts –  such as butt trumpet, cooking air biscuits, and let one rip.

The message that comes out of the story is about acceptance of people’s differences (even if they are smelly bottom burps), and the search for friendship.  The books ends happily and the search to get there will certainly give your child giggles.  I would recommend it for 4 years and over because it feels long and your younger child may not sit right through it.  It would be an engaging book for Storytime especially with the kindergarten age group where they love potty humor.

I am always happy to see picture books being written by Australian authors, even if the book doesn’t resonate with me.  I have already seen a lot of interest in this book and if your child laughs at a Fart then without a doubt they will find this book amusing.

Thank you to Penguin books for the opportunity to read and review this book.