A Halloween Farty Party by Junia Wonders (Author) and Clarissa Corradin (Illustrator)

This review first appeared on Reader Views. Read the Reader Views Kids version here. 

Junia Wonders invites you to A Halloween Farty Party. Amidst fantastical costumes, fun rhymes, and all the pumpkins you can see, Wonders takes you on a tour of what a Halloween Farty Party can be. Hidden in each of illustrator Clarissa Corradin’s glorious, charming, and delightful images, is a pumpkin with a bowtie. An explanation of what a fart is and why it’s natural rounds out this amusing picture book.

Fart humor is sure to go over well with young readers. While Wonders acknowledges in her work that farts can be hilarious, she also makes a relatively unique effort to delve into what a fart exactly is. The closing section on flatulence is deftly meant to educate young readers as well as attempt to normalize the passing of gas. This passes on the message to kids not to be embarrassed by what is, ultimately, a natural bodily function. Wonders is sure to add in, however, etiquette around farting as well, so kids don’t think it’s something to do at any old time. Wonders is additionally careful to add that farty parties should only be held under a “Farter’s Moon,” which should discourage any hopes of young readers throwing their own farty parties.

The Halloween theme is a welcome one. It allows for a playful nature to the story and illustrations. The theme also encourages young readers to expand their vocabulary by identifying the different costumes of the children in the book. It may also inspire some costume ideas of their own, so be prepared!

Praises cannot be sung enough for Corradin’s illustrations. They are completely entertaining, filled with immense joy, and intricate enough to intrigue, but not overly to the point of confusion or overstimulation. The hidden pumpkin with a bowtie creates a thoroughly enjoyable scavenger hunt throughout the book. This is sure to engage young readers on every page in an intently active way.

Junia Wonders’ A Halloween Farty Party makes tactful use of fart humor combined with information on the nature of farts to tell a thoroughly lively tale. The illustrations that accompany it are, in a word, perfection. Young readers will be engrossed in the Halloween theme, the zany jokes, and the amusing rhyming structure. Pick this early readers’ book up immediately for a dose of laughter, spooky celebration, and young joy.

A Halloween Farty Party by Junia Wonders (Author) and Clarissa Corradin (Illustrator), Gmuer Verlag