View source for Walter the Farting Dog

{{Short description|Fictional character created by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray}}
{{Infobox character
| name              = Walter the Farting Dog
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| creator           = William Kotzwinkle<br>Glenn Murray
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| species           = Dog<!-- or |race=; for non-humans only -->
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'''''Walter the Farting  Dog''''' is the title character of a series of five [[children's books]] written by [[William Kotzwinkle]] and Glenn Murray, and illustrated by Audrey Colman.  The first book was published in 2001. By 2011, the first book had reported sales of more than 1.4 million hardcover copies, and the series had grown to five titles. The book has a hidden spider on every page except one, which has puzzled readers. Audrey Colman, the illustrator, received hundreds of emails asking why that one spider was missing on the page where Walter was wolfing down an entire box of Fart-Free Biskwee dog biscuits(the phonetic pronunciation of “Biskwee”being a nod to the illustrator’s birthplace of Montréal, Québec), to which she usually answered,”The spider‘s in the cupboard on that page” before admitting she’d forgotten to add it that time. There is also a stuffed Walter plush toy in two sizes, which includes sound effects, made by Merrymakers in Oakland, California. <ref name="SLJ">{{cite magazine |first=Rocco |last=Staino |url=http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/home/891830-312/walter_the_farting_dog_turns.html.csp |title='Walter the Farting Dog' Turns 10 |magazine=[[School Library Journal]] |date=September 1, 2011}}</ref>

==Publishing history==
Kotzwinkle and Murray conceived the idea for the first book in 1990, inspired by a real-life dog named Walter, whose owner fed him [[doughnuts]] and beer, and who was prone to foul-smelling [[flatulence]].  With assistance from Kotzwinkle's wife, Elizabeth Gundy, they devised a story about a dog who overcomes two burglars with his smelly farts.  Eleven years passed before they found a willing publisher, [[North Atlantic Books]], and the right illustrator, Audrey Colman.  The book was a success and reached the top of ''[[The New York Times]]'' children's [[The New York Times Best Seller list|best seller list]].  Beginning with the second book, the series has been published by [[Penguin Books]], and Gundy began receiving credit with the third book.<ref>{{cite news |first=Cecelia |last=Goodnow |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Co-author-of-popular-Walter-the-Farting-Dog-1173993.php |title="Co-author of popular 'Walter the Farting Dog' comes to town" |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |date=May 20, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Thomas |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1533556.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112104351/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1533556.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 12, 2012 |title=The not-so-sweet smell of success 'Walter' authors gas on about flatulent canine with new sequel, and readers can't get enough |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=May 16, 2004 }}</ref>

In 2008, it was reported that plans were under way to develop the series as a movie project for the [[Jonas Brothers]].<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Michael |last=Fleming |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117994756?refCatId=13 |title=Jonas Bros. whiff Fox's 'Farting Dog': Disney rockers to make feature starring debut |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=October 27, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=John |last=Scott Lewinski |url=https://www.wired.com/underwire/2008/10/farting-dog-bla/ |title=Farting Dog Blasts Way to Big Screen |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=October 28, 2008}}</ref>  As of summer 2011, the Jonas Brothers were no longer attached, and [[Tim Hill (director)|Tim Hill]] was in discussions to direct the film for producers [[Mary Parent]] and the [[Farrelly Brothers]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Jay A. |last=Fernandez |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/risky-business/hop-director-tim-hill-talks-219516 |title='Hop' Director Tim Hill in Talks to Direct 'Walter the Farting Dog' |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=August 5, 2011}}</ref> As of 2024, it's unknown if the film is still in production or not.

==Reception==
The books have been criticized by some as an example of "poop fiction" for children (in the same vein as titles such as ''[[Captain Underpants]]'' and ''[[Zombie Bums from Uranus]]''); they have been subjected to occasional complaints and attempts to have the books withdrawn from libraries, and some librarians and bookstores have refused to carry the series.  On the other hand, librarians (and others) have credited the books with effectively attracting young readers who might otherwise be hard to reach.<ref name="SLJ"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Martha |last=Irvine |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-93989616.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326042729/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-93989616.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 26, 2016 |title=Farts, Underpants and runaway butts: authors say 'poop fiction' gets kids reading |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=April 30, 2004 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Cindy |last=Stauffer |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-9212618.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420143637/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-9212618.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 20, 2017 |title=Poop fiction; Children's books that wallow in bathroom humor are all the rage. But this quirky genre is raising a tricky question for school libraries, book stores and parents across Lancaster County: Is it harmless fun that encourages kids to read or does it just go too far? |work=[[Lancaster New Era]] |date=May 25, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Darin |last=Zank |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-112749608.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420143755/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-112749608.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 20, 2017 |title=Blaming the Dog: Grandpa Gets Wind of Book About Flatulence and Wants It Pulled From School Library |work=[[Wisconsin State Journal]] |date=January 30, 2004 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Zachary K. |last=Johnson |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-158783483.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042229/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-158783483.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |title=S.J. librarians do their homework on what's in demand |work=[[Stockton Record]] |date=February 3, 2007}}</ref>  In addition, many copies have been sold to adults.<ref>{{cite news |first=Beth |last=Macy |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12694053.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125144833/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12694053.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 25, 2013 |title=Sweet Smell of Success |work=[[The Roanoke Times]] |date=April 23, 2004}}</ref>  [[White House Chief of Staff]] [[Josh Bolten]] reportedly kept the book in his office as a "conversation-starter".<ref>{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Silva |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-143865905.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312114422/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-143865905.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 12, 2016 |title=Holding hot seat's handlebars: Bush's new chief of staff, Joshua Bolten, is a Harley man whose ability at steering 2nd-term agenda will be tested, the Tribune's Mark Silva notes |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=March 30, 2006}}</ref>

The ''[[New Statesman]]'''s [[John Sutherland (author)|John Sutherland]], comparing ''Walter'' to the 1956 children's classic ''[[Harry the Dirty Dog]]'', commented that Walter "is to Harry as [[Portnoy's Complaint|Portnoy]] was to sexually uptight [[Holden Caulfield]] - dirtier".  Noting that the "books carry the epigraph 'For everyone who is misjudged or misunderstood'", he concluded that they are ultimately about promoting "self-esteem".<ref>{{cite magazine |first=John |last=Sutherland |author-link=John Sutherland (author) |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1064301541.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421002413/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1064301541.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 21, 2017 |title=Blowing in the wind |magazine=[[New Statesman]] |date=June 12, 2006}}</ref>

==Books in series==
All are by [[William Kotzwinkle]], Glenn Murray, and illustrated by Audrey Colman except as noted:
* ''Walter the Farting Dog'' (2001) {{ISBN|1-58394-053-7}} <ref>[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1583940537 Walter the Farting Dog: Books: William Kotzwinkle, Glenn Murray, Audrey Colman]. Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved on 2011-11-23.</ref>
* ''Walter the Farting Dog: Trouble at the Yard Sale'' (2004) {{ISBN|0-525-47217-7}} (This book has also been released in the U.K. as ''Walter the Farting Dog Farts Again'' and as ''Walter the Farting Dog: Trouble at the Garage Sale'' in Australia.)
* ''Rough Weather Ahead for Walter the Farting Dog'' (2005) {{ISBN|0-525-47218-5}} (co-written with Elizabeth Gundy) (this book has also been released as 'Walter the Farting Dog and the Windy Day' in the U.K.)
* ''Walter the Farting Dog Goes On A Cruise'' (2006) {{ISBN|0-525-47714-4}} (co-written with Elizabeth Gundy)
* ''Walter the Farting Dog: Banned From the Beach'' (June 21, 2007) {{ISBN|0-525-47812-4}} (co-written with Elizabeth Gundy)
*  (NOTE: Elizabeth Gundy was actually a "silent but deadly partner" in the first two books as well.)

==In other languages==
The original Walter story is now available in more than a dozen languages, including [[French language|French]],<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/dp/1583941045 Walter le chien qui pete: Walter the Farting Dog, French-Language Edition (French Edition) (9781583941041): William Kotzwinkle, Glenn Murray, Audrey Colman: Books]. Amazon.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-23.</ref> [[Spanish language|Spanish]],<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/dp/1583941037 Walter el perro pedorrero: Walter the Farting Dog, Spanish-Language Edition (Spanish Edition) (9781583941034): William Kotzwinkle, Glenn Murray, Audrey Colman: Books]. Amazon.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-23.</ref> [[Dutch language|Dutch]],<ref>[https://opc-kb.oclc.org/DB=1/XMLPRS=Y/PPN?PPN=244888280 Walter: een scheet van een hond]. [[Royal Library of the Netherlands]]. Retrieved on 2020-06-28.</ref> [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]],<ref>[http://gegnir.is/F/6YF76S5EN7K9IR9UXB9CNQYBV45YJ1GKA2N1XIAUHR28CTYPD3-42780?func=direct&doc_number=000837492 Gegnir]. Gegnir.is (1994-11-06). Retrieved on 2011-11-23.</ref> [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]],<ref>[http://ask.bibsys.no/ask/action/show?pid=052065138&kid=biblio Ask - Dokument]. Ask.bibsys.no. Retrieved on 2011-11-23.</ref> [[Korean language|Korean]],{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} [[Japanese language|Japanese]],<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4763196901 Amazon.co.jp： おなら犬ウォルター: ウィリアム・コツウィンクル, グレン・マリー, 三辺 律子, オードリー・コールマン: 本]. Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved on 2011-11-23.</ref> and [[Latin]].<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/dp/158394110X Walter Canis Inflatus: Walter the Farting Dog, Latin-Language Edition (Latin Edition) (9781583941102): William Kotzwinkle, Glenn Murray, Audrey Colman: Books]. Amazon.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-23.</ref>
* Latin: ''Walter, Canis Inflatus'' (2004) {{ISBN|1-58394-110-X}}
* Spanish: ''Walter, El Perro Pedorrero'' {{ISBN|84-96517-10-1}}
* French: ''Walter le chien qui pète'' {{ISBN|1-58394-104-5}}
* Dutch: ''Walter: een scheet van een hond'' {{ISBN|90-5000-631-0}}
* Norwegian Bokmål: ''Prompehunden Walter'' {{ISBN|82-92382-04-6}}
* Icelandic: ''Valtýr prumpuhundur'' {{ISBN|9979-781-56-4}}
* Japanese: {{nihongo|おなら犬ウォルター|Onara Inu Waruta}} {{ISBN|4-7631-9690-1}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Series of children's books]]
[[Category:Characters in children's literature]]
[[Category:Fictional dogs]]
[[Category:Flatulence in popular culture]]
[[Category:Male characters in literature]]