Poopendous by Bennett & MoranCopyright 2012
Blue Apple Books - Children's (Amazon says "Ages 4 and up")
36 pages
My first thought when Artie Bennett asked me to review Poopendous was, "Um. Yuck!" But, I wasn't actually all that sure about The Butt Book when I saw the title (same author, different artist) and it turned out to be an absolute riot. And, I do have a passion for children's picture books. Can you tell?
Poopendous begins by talking about how poop is kind of a disgusting subject, there are different names for it, and all creatures poop.
Poop is yucky, poop is foul.
Step in poop and you will howl.
To read this book, you must be strong.
Just hold your nose and come along.
There's a delightful illustration of a woman looking horrified about the poop on her shoe, a skunk holding his nose, a dog howling, a boy looking queasy and your guide, "Professor Pip Poopdeck" appearing perfectly calm. So cute.
After talking about names for poop, the fact that monkeys will fling it at you and your dog may make it very clear when he needs to go, the next thing described is the "styles" of poop - from tiny fly specks to giant hippo piles, round rabbit pellets to cube-shaped wombat poop.
Next up are the uses of poop. I had no idea termite mounds were made of termite poop! But, I did know poop is a way that seeds are carried. Whew! Didn't want to flunk, "Are you smarter than a preschooler?" Marking scent and trails, warning other creatures away and enriching soil, burning for cooking, used to seal and build homes (Mongol yurts sealed with yack dung; Masai huts that are made of cow dung) are mentioned, followed by such silly things as moose poop souvenirs (which we've laughed about in Alaska) and cowpie-flinging at county fairs.
The book ends on the following note:
Why should such wondrous stuff offend us?
Poop is TRULY quite . . .
POOPENDOUS!
My thoughts:
I love it! Educational, silly, rhythmically rhyming text and fun, colorful, goofy illustrations make Poopendous a rocking fine addition to a child's shelf. Recommended.
This is #2 for Children's Day. Two more reviews are forthcoming!
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