Tag Archives: Artie Bennett

Poopendous by Artie Bennett

If Dr. Seuss decided to write about bodily functions, he probably would have come up with something as zany as Poopendous. Artie Bennett’s first book, The Butt Book, was an uproarously funny book about creatures’ behinds. In his latest endeavor, Bennett tackles different types of poop and their uses.

Okay, the adult in your says, “Gross.” The kid in you, however, is wondering how we’ve come this far without someone writing a book like this. Kids love this topic, so why not make it educational too? From what different types of animal poop is called to its shape or size and to how it is used, kids will be on the floor laughing, not realizing they are learning a bunch of neat information.

Mike Moran provides the vibrant, silly artwork that perfectly matches the crazy rhymes and topic of Poopendous. It’s even hard to say the name without chuckling. Do you want your kids to be eager to read? I bet this book will help.

Highly recommended!

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • Reading level:Ages 4 and up
  • Hardcover:36 pages
  • Publisher:Blue Apple Books (March 27, 2012)
  • Language:English
  • ISBN-10:1609051904
  • ISBN-13: 978-1609051907
  • SRP: 16.99

The author provided me with a free PDF of this book in exchange for my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation of any kind for this review.

Top 10 Picture Books of 2011

This took longer than expected. As I mentioned in my last post, selections this year were hard. In addition, I discovered I needed to segregate picture books for little kids (babies, toddlers, preschoolers) from those for school-age children. While some books could overlap between the two age groups, there was no way for me to compile a fair list if I lumped them all into one group. For books where I couldn’t find an age listing, I put them where I felt they fit best. I’ll start off with my Top 10 for the youngest category and then list the Top 10 in the older category.

Top 10 Picture Books for Preschoolers and under

  • Ricky’s Christmas Tree by Guido van Genechten
  • A Cat’s Alphabet Book by Sally O. Lee
  • My Daddy by Guido van Genechten
  • Going to the Beach with Lily and Milo and Going to the Zoo with Lily and Milo by Pauline Oud (I reviewed these together, so I am counting them as one.)
  • One Little Blueberry by Tammi Salzano
  • Oops! by Leo Timmers
  • 1-2-3- Count with Me and A is for Apple by Georgie Burkett (Again, I reviewed these together and count them as one.)
  • Ricky is Brave by Guido van Genechten
  • Thankyouplease by Pierre Winters and Barbara Ortelli
  • Ian’s New Potty by Pauline Oud

There are repeat names on this list, but I felt these authors and publishers truly knew how to create books attractive to this market.

Top 10 Books of 2011 for Ages 3 and up

  • A Dog is A Dog by Stephen Shaskan
  • My Mom Has X-Ray Vision by Angela McAllister
  • Will & Kate: A Love Story by Ink Robin
  • Sea Monster’s First Day by Kate Messner
  • The Butt Book by Artie Bennett
  • Not Fat Because I Wanna Be by LaNiyah Bailey
  • The Dancing Clock by Steve Metzger
  • Humbug, A Christmas Carol by Lee Baker
  • My Name is Not Alexander by Jennifer Fosberry
  • Fifo “50 States” by Hayley Rose

Honorable Mentions

  • A Christmas Secret by Candace Hall
  • Frederico, The Mouse Violinist by Mayra Calvani
  • The Ice Cream King by Steve Metzger
  • Marta’s Gargantuan Wings by J. Aday Kennedy
  • Every-Day Dress-Up by Selina Alko
  • Freckleface Strawberry Best Friends Forever by Julianne Moore
  • Limelight Larry by Leigh Hodgkinson
  • Don’t Worry Douglas! by David Melling
  • Cinderfella and the Furry Godmother by Dixie Phillips
  • Tumbleweed Christmas by Beverly Stowe McClure
  • Secret Service Saint by Janet Ann Collins
  • Seven Miles to Freedom by Janet Halfmann 

The Butt Book by Artie Bennett

Every once in a while you come across a book that you immediately call out to the kids and say, “Come here, you have to see this book!” That’s what I did when I received an email from Artie Bennett that included a PDF that said “Butt Book.” Now, I’m sorry, but for something that says that, I’ll risk downloading a virus.  Okay, maybe not, but it definitely was worth it.

I laughed like crazy as I read The Butt Book. I don’t know how many of you own The Tooth Book by Theo. LeSieg–who knows Dr. Seuss rather well–but, The Butt Book, is a sillier, zanier version of that story and talks about bottoms, how handy they are to have, and many of the creatures who have them.

My daughters have brought every one of their friends up to my office to read this book. It is uproariously funny, and the illustrations provided by Mike Lester are just as crazy as Bennett’s rhymes.

I have never laughed so hard in my life. Boys and girls will love this one!

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books 
  • ISBN-10: 1599903113
  • ISBN-13: 978-1599903118
  • SRP:  $16.99 



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