Former Board Member Thinks Farting Dog Story Stinks

A former school board member from the West Salem (WI) School District has gotten the attention of the school board president with his concerns about a book at the elementary school library. Walter the Farting Dog, is a popular children’s story book about a pooting pooch rescued from a dog pound, and whose problem………..(spoiler alert!) thwarts some burglars. The complainant doesn’t feel like it’s an appropriate book for his grandson, who attends the school. A special meeting, which will bypass the district’s reconsideration of materials procedure, has been called to discuss the removal of the book. Speaking in defense of the book, publisher Richard Grossinger of North Atlantic Books/Frog Ltd called the book a fable that teaches that having undesireable traits doesnâ€™t mean that people (or dogs) “canâ€™t be successful or contribute to society.â€?
More here from American Libraries Online.

February 10, 2004 by rochelle Uncategorized 7

nbruce says:

February 10, 2004 at 8:42 am

Fable
Fable or not, kids, particularly boys, probably love this book. Dad needs to get a life.

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Fang-Face says:

February 10, 2004 at 8:50 am

Something about this story certainly stinks
And it isn’t the dog. Some old far — ah, geezer, figures a book isn’t appropriate for his grandchild, and loudly proclaims that no other child should be allowed to read it? And then the school officious, who really should show a higher standard of education in these matters, simply tries to circumvent the procedure the review the work that is in place by having the book removed by way of a kangaroo court.

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rochelle says:

February 10, 2004 at 9:51 am

Facts on Farts
Couldn’t resist.

And for those who have been meaning to do a bibliography on farting, here’s a good start at BN.com.

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birdie says:

February 10, 2004 at 7:37 pm

Re:Facts on Farts
Not to mention the most famous epistle of them all, The Gas We Pass (Kane/Miller Book Publishers 1994). I can guarantee that all facts were checked and double-checked by the publisher (my former boss).

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April says:

February 10, 2004 at 9:54 pm

walter
This book is actually really funny (and very popular at my library), and it has very unique art. Incidentally, the sequel comes out next month: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0525 472177/qid=1076428482//ref=pd_ka_2/002-9082027-049 6006?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Farting dogs and Captain Underpants… toilet humor just appeals to kids, and at least they’re reading!

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Anonymous Patron says:

February 10, 2004 at 10:09 pm

don’t gag Kotzwinkle
William Kotzwinkle is a brilliant writer (Remember E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial?) and should not be silenced. Everyone should read Walter, The Farting Dog.

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rochelle says:

February 10, 2004 at 10:16 pm

Google Ads–Fart-related
If you check the google ads on LISnews that go along with this thread, you’ll see that they are indeed very topical! Now you’ll all know where to get your fart machines.

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