Farts Have Feelings Too

Book excerpt: Farts are funny because someone toots, and it’s funny because it’s really from your butt—we don’t know why. —Rori N., age five People everywhere have something in common: they fart. Though it goes by many names—fart, toot, cheese that’s cut, or wind that’s broken— no one wants to be around a fart. It’s true that they smell and can be loud, but farts have feelings too. They can make us laugh, comfort us, and bring us joy, even if it’s only for a little while. At a young age, author Ryan McCormick heard his dad declare that “farts are people, too,” after being chastised by Ryan’s mom for letting one fly. The ensuing laughter got his dad out of an argument, and Ryan has used this strategy ever since. This whimsical children’s poem explores the joys and fun of farts, who can be our friends in spite of their bad reputation.