Marley and Me
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
This Santa is a gas, gas, gas...
Some writers edit, as I have done periodically over my career. And some editors write, as my Marley & Me editor Mauro DiPreta has done in a charming new children's book just out. Well, it's not really my editor extraordinaire who wrote "Fartsy Claus." It's his colorful alter-ego, Mitch Chivus. As you no doubt gathered from the title, Santa has a bit of a gas problem. No, not a bit. He's gassier than a methane plant. His problem began when he arrived at a house and, finding no cookies and milk, dug into a big pot of franks and beans, leaving him with one wicked case of flatulence. I now quote from the HarperCollins press release: "Lucky for Santa, his gastric gaffe took place in the presence of two especially ingenious tots, who just happen to have a science lab in their attic. The three of them head upstairs to devise a solution that will salvage Santa’s reputation and save Christmas for the whole world."
So that's the story in a nutshell. When I tell you "Fartsy Claus" is filled with seat-of-the-pants action, I mean that in the most literal sense. Or to quote Mick Jagger, it's a gas, gas, gas.
I've made school appearances up and down the East Coast to promote my own children's books, and I have learned that nothing makes kids giggle and squeal more than bodily functions. The holy trinity of children's literature, I've concluded, is poop, pee, and underpants. Use them in any combination and you are sure to get loads of laughs. Mitch Chivus has hit upon a similar truth: for children, farts are always funny. Especially when you work them into groaner rhymes.
"Fartsy Claus" is on sale now. Check it out!
posted by John Grogan at 1:50 PM
 
9 Comments:
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Looks like a cute book.
Saw you and the family on the Dog Whisperer, how is Gracie doing with her training? How long ago was that?
Love your work.
Kate Hamilton
owner of a 9 month old energetic Golden
Oh, God. I don't think I'd ever be able to take my son out in public again. You're not kidding - bodily functions send the child into paroxysms. Seriously, though, we may have to give it a try - as a change from the usual seasonal literature.
hii, My name is Carolina Novais, I'm 15, and I'm Brasilian (Fron Rio de Janeiro). I finish to ready "Marley & Eu" today, and I reeeeealy love ! I like the way you use to write, and the story is veeeeery very good. It's my favorite book ! congratulations .
Your are great !
Marley was a wonderful dog.
and will always be remember, not only for you, but for everybody else !
Kisses,
Carolina Novais .
PS: sorry about de mistakes, I'm learn English, and I don't know say everything right yet .
- carolzinha_dance@hotmail.com
Hi, John
My name is Cynthia and I'm brazilian. Just finished reading "Marley & Me" and absolutely loved it!!! I love dogs and specially Labs, and your history was a proof that they are the most amazing and funny dogs of all. I'm getting more and more exciting to have one of my own. Congratulations for the book!!! My best wishes to you, your family and your new dog. :)
Dear John,
by chance, I discovered "Marley & Me" and devoured it in two days flat. I take a commuter train to work and guess I have earned myself a reputation as "a little weird", as my fellow communters will have seen me laughing so hard that tears ran down my cheeks and, the second day, crying out of sadness. Your book is wonderful, and it made my Top 3-list instantly (actually, Top 1 for this decade - my other Top books are, incidentially, also "dog books").
I love your writing style, and could identify myself and my life with Jenny's and your life quite a lot. Astonishing parallels, in fact.
Also, I used to have my aunt's dog in care for lenghts of time and over several years. She's a German shepherd mix and just as incorrigible as Marley. I know that Marley Mambo so well!! Also, she is a class A evader, too. She's found a new home (my aunt had to give her up due to illness and we can't have a dog as we're gone to work for 10 hours a day, in my opinion a period too long to leave a dog alone on a regular basis), and I miss her so much it hurts. Reading your book brought her back as if she'd only left yesterday.
I'm looking very much forward to further books from you, and if you ever decide to travel to Germany to promote your book(s), count me in. I gave my paperback edition of "Marley & Me" to my mom and ordered the hardcover, photo edition for me. I would be very honored to have you sign it.
Best regards, your new fan,
Daniela
Oh...I really like your story..haha
I already search many things about the places,people you describe in your book...
I guess Marley and me is enchanting brazilian's people and doing the difference around the world.
I'm very curious to know how are janny and your children{I think they're not a children yet!I'm turning 15..I guess I'm the same age them)
People just write that they like,that they can love and express...because of people like you,I'm able to be a book lover and to respesct every kind of life!!
I don't know weather you'll read it or not..but I'm just wanna tell:Thanks.Marley is happy in some place with GOD.
Sorry my bad english {:
Hi!
My name is Sandra and finish the book yesterday… God i´m so marvellous with this history!!
I´m journalist too and I have a big dog too.. but not the dog like Marley, other race, a typical brazilian dog: Fila Brasileiro, and his name is “Tupan” (in the Indian language is “god of sun”).
This history commoved my family because always has big dogs. We understand the drama of you family… I cryed my eyes out… remember my other dogs… but… how you say in the book, this creature teach the person the really meaning of the life… it´s a real love… sorry but I,m in love about dogs…
Sorry for my English… isn´t good… but I belive which you understand me..
Thanks for all
kisses
I forgot...i´m from Sao Paulo, Brazil, ok!
omg! the brazilian fans is taking the place to them!
brazil is in the house!
haha
olá, amigos brasileiros!
pelo visto estamos tomando conta do pedaço, hein?! hehe
:)