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The Fart-tastic Dancer
The Fart-tastic Dancer is one wacky whirlwind of a children’s book about Billy, a kid who loves farting, dancing, and pranking anyone who crosses his path. He takes great joy in shocking people with smelly blasts, booger flicks, and surprise scares. But when Lulu and her animal friends decide to teach Billy a lesson, things turn upside down. By the end, Billy learns an important lesson: it’s better to be funny in kind ways and treat others with respect.
This book is hilarious in the most absurd way. From the start, Billy’s fart attacks are exaggerated to ridiculous levels. When he “let out a loud, gassy blast that could have powered a rocket to the moon,” my child burst out laughing when I read it to her. The visual of people collapsing and running away like it’s a catastrophe is so over-the-top it feels appropriately, wonderfully, cartoonish. And don’t get me started on “The Fart-nado”—Billy spinning like a tornado while singing a fart anthem. I couldn’t help but imagine kids giggling at this part.
I loved Lulu’s character. Instead of scolding Billy or being mean back, she plans a clever (and smelly) prank to show him how it feels to be on the receiving end. The part where Stinky the Skunk unleashes “the strongest fart in history” had me laughing. The humor is chaotic but playful and the vibrant images make it easy to get absorbed in it all.
What stood out most, though, was the message. It sneaks up on you. When Lulu helps Billy up instead of laughing at him, it’s surprisingly sweet. Her kindness makes him realize that being mean, even in a funny way, can hurt people. It’s such a nice moment after all the chaos. I also liked that Billy doesn’t lose his goofy side. Instead, he channels it into dancing and funny songs that bring everyone together. That’s such a great way to wrap things up.
This picture book is perfect for kids who love silly humor, wild fart jokes, and don’t mind a bit of gross-out fun. It’s lighthearted and teaches a lesson without being preachy. Parents might roll their eyes at the boogers and farts, but kids will think it’s the funniest thing they’ve ever read. I’d recommend this book to anyone with a kid who loves giggling at goofy stuff. Plus, it’s a fun way to start a conversation about kindness and thinking of others.
Pages: 43 | ASIN : B0DJSH4YSP
Believe in the Impossible
Oh, No, Bunny – You’re Still Not Funny! follows non-identical twins who each wish for a different pet and are visited by their father’s imaginary bunny friend. What was the inspiration for your story?
When I first came up with the idea to do the Happy Tails series, I planned to have animals feature just as prominently as the humans did. Since everything is mainly featured around a holiday, well – bunnies came to mind. A good portion of the antics in the first bunny book were from real life experience. That story about the spaghetti – that was from an actual pet rabbit attacking my plate. Until then, I had no idea that bunnies could like spaghetti. Maybe it’s not good for them, but that rabbit wanted the pasta badly . . . and it makes a really good story!
What were some ideas that were important for you to personify in your characters?
A good portion of us have had imaginary friends or have used our imagination in play to entertain ourselves. I wanted this book to hold on to the precious land called “Childhood” where we can believe in the impossible and use our imaginations to enjoy the world around us. I wanted the twins to be like any other brother and sister – they annoy each other, but they are also capable of working together to achieve a common goal, which – in this case – was to contain Yakov the rabbit’s insane zest for life that could often go more wrong than right sometimes.
Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your characters’ lives?
Well, the bunny story. We had bunnies on the farm, but they were outside bunnies. The bunny spaghetti story actually came from an indoor pet bunny.
Because I lived on the farm when I was a child, our house was located too far from any of my school friends to visit, so I spent a lot of time by myself entertaining myself. How did I do that? Imagination. I made up my own stories in my mind, and I read lots of books.
Will there be a follow-up book on this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
It’s funny that you should ask me this question. I honestly thought after this book, that I couldn’t take it any further, but I was wrong. I have come up with a really great idea for the third installment that will keep all the current characters and add 2 new surprising ones. If you thought the first two books were insane, the third one gets even better.
I’m not sure what the front book cover will look like. I usually watch what illustrations Christina Cartwright, my illustrator, produces to see if I like any of them for the front cover, which, eventually I do. As for the back cover, I like ending it with everyone sitting under the old oak tree, like a family.
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Sascha’s twins – Sorcha and Dmitry – have heard tales of their father’s imaginary bunny friend (Yakov) for years, and all they did was laugh at the tales that their father shared with them. At least that’s all they believed it ever would be – just funny stories to entertain.
Imagine their surprise when they meet Yakov in person for themselves. There are not enough words in the English language to prepare anyone for meeting such a wildly crazy hare!
Before they have time to prepare, Yakov is racing out the front door of their home and is set loose upon the neighborhood. Can the two kids stop him from creating more havoc than any one person should ever be allowed?
Everyone thinks at some point in their life that they would like a pet, but absolutely no one is prepared for the unbelievable trouble into which a bunny like Yakov can get! Oh, bunny, here we go again!
Oh, No, Bunny – You’re Still Not Funny! (Happy Tails)
Stimulating children’s imagination can significantly enhance their social and emotional skills, and this is beautifully exemplified in Oh, No, Bunny – You’re Still Not Funny! by Michele L. Sayre. The story follows non-identical twins Sorcha and Dmitry, who each wish for a different pet. Their father responds by sharing a childhood tale of his imaginary friend, Yakov the bunny. Initially, the children underestimate the importance of the story, but the next day, they are visited by Yakov himself, who encourages them to enjoy a fun-filled day at the neighborhood block party, trying new and exciting things.
I found this book delightful for its easy-to-follow narration and humorous tone. The story is dynamic, with the children engaging in numerous activities in a single day, such as participating in a three-legged race and playing in a bounce house. This lively narrative will inspire young readers to invent their own games and activities. Additionally, the interactions between the characters are heartwarming; the children share a wonderful relationship with their father, marked by honesty and open expression, which serves as an ideal example of family bonding.
Yakov, the hyperactive bunny, adds a layer of excitement and chaos, making for some humorous and loving moments with the kids. The story itself is very creative, teaching children to be themselves while understanding the limits during play. Siblings Sorcha and Dmitry serve as excellent role models, demonstrating positive behavior and strong family bonds. In addition, the interactions between the father and children are relatable, making this book enjoyable for both kids and adults to read together.
Oh, No, Bunny – You’re Still Not Funny! is a captivating and fun story that encourages imagination, creativity, and strong family relationships, making it a wonderful addition to any child’s bookshelf.
Pages: 89 | ASIN : B0D2VQ4HGY
Imagination Is a Good Thing
The Secret of One-Eyed Cogburn: The Dreaded Pirate Captain follows three friends on summer vacation who mysteriously find themselves on a pirate ship in the ocean. What was the inspiration for your story?
I have written six novels so far, but I have never written a children’s book, and since I have grandchildren I wanted to do something for them. I wanted it to be a fun, entertaining children’s story that would also send a good message to them and other children who would hear the story that using your imagination is a good thing and also being kind is important.
Then, of course, I had to find just the right artist to bring it all to life and I think that Nestor Taylor was just the right man for the job. He drew every picture by hand and then meticulously colored them, and Sergio put it all together.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Fostering good friendships. The use of imagination. Being kind to one another and others, and always being honest are wonderful attributes we want to encourage in our children and youth. I feel that it was important to teach these principles to my children, and maybe it is even more important to mirror these fundamental principles now.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Nestor Taylor?
Nestor was AMAZING. I gave him my suggestions in the beginning and all along the way. We discussed everything from hair and eye color. We talked about the ethnicity of the children. I wanted flamboyant and colorful, and he caught my vision and delivered. I searched for the right artist for a long time. And when I say a long time, I mean seven or eight years.
I was actually given the name of a friend of Nestor’s, a famous Disney artist, who will go unnamed, who was going to do the work. But when I described what I had in mind for this book, let’s just say he didn’t do that kind of artwork. But he was kind enough to introduce me to his friend, Nestor. Nestor and Sergio are both from Spain. We emailed back and forth, and the entire process took more than a year to complete, but I think the outcome was well worth the wait.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
I really haven’t thought that far ahead. I am just hoping that the book sales will be successful, and I can work with these talented artists again. The book is also being released in a Spanish version, “El secreto de Cogburn, el tuerto El temible capitán pirata.”
Perhaps our adventurous trio could go on Safari to Africa or visit the pyramids and run into a mummy. Wouldn’t that be fun?
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In this adventure, the three friends will find a treasure chest in the middle of their ship and meet the dreaded pirate captain, One-Eyed Cogburn, who has a very well-kept secret.
But who does the chest truly belong to?
Will the three adventurous youth be able to keep the treasure for themselves?
Will One-Eyed Cogburn let them escape unharmed?
Join Timmy and his friends in this fabulous quest full of mysteries, secrets, and laughter to find out!
LITERARY TITAN 