Poops and Farts

Stepanka Sekaninova used to work as a TV reporter and in the production of children’s programs. Now she is a writer and an editor-in-chief, living in the Czech Republic.Miroslava Gomolcakova studied graphics at the Academy of Arts in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia. She collaborates with Daniel Handak as the creative duo Grounded Pigeons, focusing on graphics for games and animated films, with occasional animation work. Recently, they illustrated their first book, Poops and Farts. She lives and works as a freelancer in Prague.Daniel Handak studied graphics at the Academy of Arts in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia. He collaborates with Miroslava Gomolcakova as the creative duo Grounded Pigeons, focusing on graphics for games and animated films, with occasional animation work. Recently, they illustrated their first book, Poops and Farts. He lives and works as a freelancer in Prague.

"Gr 3-6–This is a nonfiction book of facts about a subject kids love, presented with the authority and detail of National Geographic, but with a bit of zany humor. The book’s title and silly jokes on the endpapers—“The number 1 book about number 2”—serve as a juvenile Trojan horse, setting a lighthearted tone for what is a remarkably sophisticated and comprehensive work. The comic caricatural art is lively, with people and animals rendered in a unique and visually pleasing angular style. The talking poops are particularly charming and expressive, especially when they are in costumes, such as that of a Renaissance painter or a no-nonsense city bus driver. Layouts are varied, clear, and accessible, allowing readers to navigate a wealth of information effortlessly. Readers learn about human and animal waste, the history of toilet paper, how to defecate in extreme environments (such as space), and even about the unique and forgotten job of a “flatulist.” The book’s blend of crass humor and high-quality informational content is masterful. VERDICT A landmark work in the “kids love poop” genre, this is a must-buy for every collection." —Chance Lee Joyner, School Library Journal, Starred Review"In a swirling bowl full of snicker-worthy tidbits ripe for casual browsers to fish out, this import from the Czech Republic scours unspecified scientific and historical sources for the dirt on a broad array of juicy topics, from the invention of toilets and toilet paper to what poop’s color and consistency can signal diet- and health-wise. “And to think,” Sekaninová writes, “we turn up our noses at poo!” The illustrators deposit hilarious cartoon galleries of privies and of items used for butt wipes through the ages, along with lively assemblages of racially diverse human figures and small brown blobs with big eyes and stubby limbs to present, for example, animals capable of shooting their poop, best practices for pooping outdoors or in space, and (perhaps) more usefully, foods and activities that may ease trapped gas, diarrhea, and constipation. There may be little here that’s new to dedicated scatologists, but this does offer fresh whiffs of fact and factoid on an ever-popular topic." —John Peters, Booklist"This book manages to provide a history of toilets and toilet paper in a manner that captures the attention of a younger audience and allows them to discuss their thoughts on this history. The illustrations in this book add humor to the story and are a great way to provide information to a younger audience. The personification of poop makes this a character that is joyful to see and follow through the pages and makes you want to learn more. The author was able to use illustrations to move the story along and capture your attention so that the factual information is more likely to stick in your head. Final Verdict: Poops and Farts: The Botom Line is a fascinating and informative read that children ages 6-9 will enjoy as they learn about bodily functions that are often surrounded by taboo. This book allows for conversations to open regarding these bodily functions and provides some humor through that journey." —Adrien Guerra, YA Books Central"My poop tolerance, I will tell you right now, is not particularly high. But, at the same time, I’m a sucker for a good subtitle, and this book delivers that. Now it may not be clear from the cover, but this is a nonfiction title. And thanks to a cast of anthropomorphic poops, it tells you all the stuff you did and did not want to know about #2. And farts. Let us not forget the farts." —A Fuse #8 Production, School Library Journal"This book is bursting with information that’ll leave you laughing, learning, and maybe scratching your head in wonder. The illustrations are an absolute riot and truly bring the information to life. Every page is brimming with quirky illustrations and heaps of potty-themed fun. This isn’t just a book about poop—it’s a multidisciplinary STEM masterpiece. From biology to engineering, zoology to astronomy, and even meteorology, the book covers it all. If your kids are curious, love to laugh, or just want to be poop experts, this is the book for them! Trust me, they’re going to LOVE it!" —Kimberly M., NetGalley-Reviewer"This book was hilariously informative! It features tons of interesting facts about pooping and farting, paired with engaging comic style illustrations. I think this would make a fantastic gag gift for a middle-school aged child!" —Hilary F., NetGalley-Reviewer"This is an awesome book! Talking about poops and farts never gets old with little kids, which makes this book highly relevant and entertaining for its intended audience. Additionally, all of the information included in this book was genuinely interesting, and I didn't find a single dull moment in the entire thing. The number of fun facts included in this book was astonishing (for such a short story), and I would say that I learned a lot! Another great thing about this book was the illustrations. They were fun, full of energy, and highly unique in every single way. Thanks to the design and the visuals, this book had an overall comic book-esque feel to it, which increased the entertainment value even further. Lastly, I thought it was interesting and fresh the way the illustatpr drew poop. It wasn't a super literal approach, but it still made a lot of sense. It's highly impressive that the illustrator managed to find this delicate balance and, though it's a small detail, it added quite a bit to the book as a whole. Bravo!!" —Shannon K., NetGalley-Reviewer