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Poopendous! Reviewed By Lavanya Karthik of Bookpleasures.com
- By Lavanya Karthik
- Published October 4, 2012
- Childrens & Young Adults
Lavanya Karthik
Reviewer
Lavanya Karthik: Lavanya is from Mumbai, India and is a licensed
architect and consultant in environmental management. She lives in
Mumbai with her husband and six-year old daughter. She loves reading
and enjoys a diverse range of authors across genres.
Author: Artie Bennett
Illustrator: Mike Moran
Publisher: Blue Apple Books
ISBN: 978-160905190-7
The Tao of Poo revealed!
In 2010, Artie Bennett gave us his hilarious classic, ‘The Butt Book’, an irreverent ode to that much ignored body part. He now returns with what is, quite literally, his ‘number two’ book - ’Poopendous’ , best described by its own byline, ‘The inside scoop on every type and use of poop.’ Mike Moran’s colourful illustrations are zany, and a terrific complement to Artie’s rib-tickling prose.
Much like its cheeky predecessor, Poopendous is whacky, inventive and a laugh riot from go. On page one, we meet our genial narrator, Professor Pip Poopdeck ( emerging, rather appropriately, from an outhouse), expert on a subject most folks would find icky-poo. ‘To read this book’, he cautions. ‘You must be strong. Just hold your nose and come along!’ What follows is a whirlwind tour though the animal world, and a close look at the one routine that every creature in it has in common – “..from aardvarks to the humped zebu.”
Why shy away, Poopdeck asks, from something so natural, so diverse, (and so conducive to rhyme) . And why be scared of something that can actually be put to use – as fuel, as construction material, even jewelry. From farmers to Masai tribesman to Mongol yurt-dwellers, people around the world have come to appreciate the wonders of poop. Thanks to Artie Bennett, we now join the enlightened.
One small quibble - I found no mention of two especially innovative uses of poop - jumbo poo paper and biogas . But don’t let that stop you picking up ‘Poopendous’ for a few good belly laughs.