MY DAD AND THE FART THAT SHOOK THE WORLD

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MY DAD AND THE FART THAT SHOOK THE WORLD

Name: MY DAD AND THE FART THAT SHOOK THE WORLD
Author: Matt Coyne
ISBN: 9798217140749

by Matt Coyne ; illustrated by Richard Merritt ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 7, 2026

Dopey, disgusting, and damned hilarious.

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Father and child battle a stomach-churning enemy.

After Eddie’s frequently flatulent dad lets a really bad one rip, the youngster knows that it’s time for action. Eddie and Dad grab their Fartinators, hop aboard Butt Force One, and set off to save humanity from “my dad’s massive bottom toot.” Their mission takes them across the globe, with famous sights spotlighted in fart-centric rhymes—e.g., “Into north of Africa, the cry went up, ‘It stinks!’ / as the smell arrived in Egypt and the / nose fell off the Sphinx.” That’s not the only couplet that doesn’t scan easily, but award-winning British parenting blogger Coyne, here with his first kids’ book, is resourceful with his rhyme pairings: A smell that is “quite / horrific!” crosses “the South Pacific,” and so on. The above description makes the tale sound like pure grossout humor, but a sweetly affectionate father–child adventure lies beneath the gaseous fumes. In Merritt’s suitably unsubtle art, a neon-green ribbonlike fart cloud startles all humans and animals in its path. Of interest to historians: The stench even reaches King Charles and President Joe Biden, whose cameo appearances in this book will surely be among both men’s greatest honors. As for the story’s ending, let’s just say that all signs point to repeat escapades. Both father and child are brown-skinned; the supporting cast is diverse.

Dopey, disgusting, and damned hilarious. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: April 7, 2026

ISBN: 9798217140749

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap

Review Posted Online: Dec. 26, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ACTION & ADVENTURE FICTION | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
THE ONLY MONSTER
by Matt Coyne ; illustrated by Matt Coyne

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.

Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: March 29, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin

Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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I GOT YOU

by Derrick Barnes ; illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 15, 2025

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.

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When Mom and Dad bring baby Rasheed home for the first time, it’s love at first sight for big brother Anthony.

As the boys grow, Anthony teaches his little sibling how to build a tower with blocks (and how to knock it down with a loud “WHOP!!!”), how to ride a bike, and even how to fly (through a well-timed leap from the swings). When thunder and lightning wake them both one night, Anthony assuages Rasheed’s fears with the book’s titular refrain: “I got you.” But one day Anthony goes for a bike ride with his friends, leaving Rasheed alone and hurt. That night, Anthony explains that while he may spend time with his peers, his bond with Rasheed is unbreakable. And as the book comes to a close, with Mom and Dad introducing the boys to their new little sibling, Anthony leaves Rasheed with perhaps the greatest lesson of all: how to be a supportive big brother himself. Narrated by Rasheed, Barnes’ text is elegant in its simplicity, loving yet never saccharine, and always emotionally honest. Using varied perspectives, Knight-Justice’s richly hued, collagelike digital illustrations combine a patchwork of textures and patterns, immersing readers in this affectionate Black family’s world. Greens and blues dominate the pages, bringing to life an idyllic suburban setting.

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind. (Picture book. 4-8)