Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Who Was the Fartiste?

In celebration of International Picture Book Month we are reviewing another picture book this week instead of a middle grade novel.  I first heard of this one on my dear friend Claudine's blog: Carry Us Off Books. Thanks, Claudine! 


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. ~Fartiste

I can’t stop laughing since Margo and I finished reading her latest find. She keeps giggling too; actually my whole family has been busting a gut! Fartiste by Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer is the mostly true story of Joseph Pujol. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t heard of him before, as he has one of the most unique jobs ever and a talent I can’t even imagine! This delightful tale is told in rhyme, which makes the delivery of the information that much more captivating. The bright, bold pictures are filled with details that add extra layers to the story. It's a book that begs to be read over and over again, and so far each time Margo and I have found new things to chuckle about in either the words or the illustrations. 


Illustrator Boris Kulikov helps bring Pujol’s story to life through the facial expressions, backgrounds, and artistic details he included on each page. I think this is the perfect gift for people of all ages this holiday season, as it is about a subject that can send kids and adults into fits of laughter! You definitely don’t want to miss this one, and I know Margo will be begging me to read it with her for years to come! 

Joseph Pujol discovers at a young age that he can make gas come out of his butt! Unlike other people, he has great control of the air as it escapes and is able to create sounds of various pitches and volumes. Joseph lives a normal life and enjoys making his friends roar with laughter when he demonstrates his explosive talent. Although he is a baker by trade, he soon discovers it's not enough to feed his large family. With so many people making money by performing for large audiences, Joseph wonders if there's a place for him on stage. What will the audience think of a man who plays songs, creates animal noises, and entertains by varying the air escaping from his bottom? It is hilarious to imagine someone who has perfected the art of the fart- but Pujol clearly did! Not only will this book make you laugh out loud, but you'll also realize that there's a job for everyone, and sometimes you have to think outside the box. This book will put a smile on your face, so it's the perfect way to add some sunshine to your life! You'll probably start making up your own rhymes too! 


Has anyone else read Fartiste? Or have you read another book by Kathleen Krull or Paul Brewer? We'd love to hear your thoughts! 

Happy reading! ~ F


















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44 comments:

  1. haha sure sounds like a fun one. But with the own rhymes I think I have that done

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    1. Pat- It is a fun one for sure! With your love of rhymes it is right up your alley. :) ~F

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  2. Wow sounds like a hilarious book rofl

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    1. D. Biswas- It will make you chuckle out loud! :) ~F

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  3. Hilarious! I've got to add this to the Christmas gift list!

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    1. Deniz- I hope you get it- or win it in the giveaway happening along with the author interview in Friday's post. :) ~F

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  4. I haven't read it, but it sounds like fun. I bet kids will enjoy the story since they love stuff like this.

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  5. Definitely one for lovers of so-called toilet humour. It sounds so much more fun that it is told in rhyme.

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    1. Beverly- I hope you get to read it! It will make you laugh. Kids everywhere will love this one! :) ~F

      Tracy- People who enjoy toilet humor will love Fartiste, but even those who don't will be pleasantly surprised. :) ~F

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  6. lol! How have I never heard of this before? Sound hilarious :)

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    1. Meradeth- Glad to introduce you to Fartiste! :) ~F

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  7. Oh boy... I think my middle grade students would love this, actually!

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    1. The Armchair Squid- Middle grade students will love Fartiste! :) ~F

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  8. Well, this certainly is a unique idea for a PB. I will check it out for the rhyming text, but I really am a little put off by the subject. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.

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    1. Rosi- It is definitely a unique book. The rhymes are so well done that you will enjoy the mostly true story of Mr. Pujol's life. Amazing that he was a real person (and luckily he could control his gas, but it had no scent). ;) ~F

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  9. It sounds like a heap of fun. Have you come across the 'Walter the Farting Dog' series? If you haven't, they are well worth the discovery. In a very ugly period in my life my partner's sister and I read them with tears of laughter rolling down our faces...

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    1. Elephant's Child- It is a heap of fun! I have not read Walter the Farting Dog, but I will have to check it out now. I think Fartiste is a book that will definitely make you laugh out loud. :) ~F

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  10. Sounds hilarious! The kids at school would love it :)

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  11. omg, just the illustration had me laughing.

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    1. Donna- Me, too! When I look at the facial expressions in the pictures I start cracking up.: ) ~F

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  12. I wondered what sort of book it would be with Farts as the hint. This book sounds hilarious! The fart part will be funny to kids, but I'm glad it got an adult to giggle too. What an odd talent.

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    1. Molly- I can imagine the riddle had people wondering about the story behind it. It is a hilarious book that will make readers of all age laugh. A good tension reliever. Definitely an odd talent! :) ~F

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  13. You're welcome! What a funny book, right? And to think it was based on a real person with this talent. I was so wonderfully surprised to learn about his performance and how it didn't stink at all. The illustrations are excellent!

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    1. Claudine- Your review of Fartiste was spot on! Amazing to think the Fartiste was a real person who performed for large audiences. Thank goodness the gas that passed didn't stink! :) ~F

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  14. LOL. Fun book :D I love picture books, I wish I could draw like that

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    1. Blodeuedd- The illustrations are fabulous and the story is a ton of fun. :) ~F

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    1. Vanessa- Happy Thanksgiving to you too! :) ~F

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  16. This is hilarious..my son would have loved it. No scratch that he is 21 and would still love this..LOL

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    1. Kimba- If your son is 21- he will definitely still get a big kick out of Fartiste. :) ~F

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  17. Haha wow a fart book :) Those are always fun.

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  18. I've heard of this one, Jess. But I don't have it yet. I MUST though. Perfect for young reluctant readers.

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    1. Robyn- So glad to hear you have heard of Fariste before. Reluctant readers will want to read every word of this one. :) ~Jess

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  19. Looks like a fun book. It appeals to me as an adult, and I can just imagine kids would go crazy for it.

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    1. Medeia- I think this book is one that is great for all ages because it is a topic that makes us all laugh. The coolest part is that it is a biography. :) ~F

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  20. Well that's interesting, and unique:) No I'd never heard of Pujol.
    Happy Thanksgiving;)

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    1. Sandra- I hadn't hear of Pujol before. Definitely an interesting and unique book. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving too! :) ~F

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  21. Heidi- I know your 4 and 6 year olds would both love Fartiste. I hope you will let us know their reactions. :) I have to read Walter the Farting Dog! ~F

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