Overview
Farley the frog has a problem -" he can't stop farting. While his sister thinks it's funny, his parents and his teacher are not amused. The doctor says it's only gas and it will pass. The trouble is, it does! Farley tries to control himself, but the results are worse: he swells up like a balloon and floats off into the sky. Comic pictures and a tongue-in-cheek text relate how Farley and his family learn that it's better to fart and bear the shame than not to fart and bear the pain!
Although the doctor says it will pass, Farley the frog is embarrassed that he cannot stop farting and tries to control himself, but when he swells up like a balloon things are even worse.
Synopsis
Now with a realistic farting sound every time you push the button! "There's a genuine structure and momentum to the enjoyably silly story. There's still much mining of the flatulent vein of humor, of course, and sound effects and stinky jokes will send young listeners guffawing. . . This will be a high-flyer for very, very informal read aloud occasions or for jocular uncles looking for sure-fire routes to subversive popularity." —Recommended, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Publishers Weekly
Like Lisa Kopelke's Excuse Me! (Children's Forecasts, Jan. 13), Muller's (Giant Jack) tale of a flatulent frog hangs its humor on a basic bodily function. But unlike Kopelke's hero, who learns his lesson, here a fart saves Farley's life. Farley the Frog "had to fart all the time. When he was eating, pfffooottt!... Even when he was sleeping, pfffooottt!" There's not a lot of substance to the airy plot (Farley passes gas in several places, sees the doctor, and then encounters trouble trying to stop), while the amount of pfffooottting seems over the top. But the preschool set will likely erupt in giggles, even if adults may groan at a tired pun or two ("The doctor rolled his eyes and sputtered. `Nothing serious. Just, um, a case of a little gas. It will pass' "). Red-roofed, white farm houses dotting the outdoor scenes add European touches to the artwork; while humorous details (e.g., small red fish with resigned expressions leap from a pond-turned-Jacuzzi, courtesy of Farley's emissions) enliven the proceedings of the hapless cartoon frog, who resembles a chubby Kermit. When Farley attempts to quell his noisy outbursts and swells up like a Macy's parade balloon, readers can easily guess the remedy for his airborne plight. Ages 5-8. (Mar.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
Like Lisa Kopelke's Excuse Me! (Children's Forecasts, Jan. 13), Muller's (Giant Jack) tale of a flatulent frog hangs its humor on a basic bodily function. But unlike Kopelke's hero, who learns his lesson, here a fart saves Farley's life. Farley the Frog "had to fart all the time. When he was eating, pfffooottt!... Even when he was sleeping, pfffooottt!" There's not a lot of substance to the airy plot (Farley passes gas in several places, sees the doctor, and then encounters trouble trying to stop), while the amount of pfffooottting seems over the top. But the preschool set will likely erupt in giggles, even if adults may groan at a tired pun or two ("The doctor rolled his eyes and sputtered. `Nothing serious. Just, um, a case of a little gas. It will pass' "). Red-roofed, white farm houses dotting the outdoor scenes add European touches to the artwork; while humorous details (e.g., small red fish with resigned expressions leap from a pond-turned-Jacuzzi, courtesy of Farley's emissions) enliven the proceedings of the hapless cartoon frog, who resembles a chubby Kermit. When Farley attempts to quell his noisy outbursts and swells up like a Macy's parade balloon, readers can easily guess the remedy for his airborne plight. Ages 5-8. (Mar.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.Children's Literature
Farley is a charming young frog with big, bulging eyes and a wide smile. But he has an embarrassing anti-social condition. His digestive system produces large quantities of gas, which keeps making gross noises when he expels it. Everywhere he goes he is criticized. The doctor says it is just gas, and "it will pass." Unfortunately, "it KEPT passing." So he tries hard to stop, but his tummy begins to swell until it grows so bloated that he floats up into the sky. His worried family tells him to let it go, so he can come down to their loving arms. All seems well again, until the bean soup for dinner causes a PFFFOOOTTT. This time, however, it's not Farley's fault. The slight story is vitalized by the sketchy, textured illustrations of the appealing characters in their amusing situations. This should be a hit with the Captain Underpants fans, as well as a help to some children suffering from this condition. 2003, A Michael Neugebauer Book/North-South Books,— Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz