Review: Hilarious Story with a Pointed Lesson - David Chuka Does it Again
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 6, 2013
One of the aspects that makes the little children's books by David Chuka so endearing is that he enters territory and vocabulary that in other circumstances would be either verboten or at least judged inappropriate. But instead of writing a story of questionable taste, Chuka creates some hilarious situations and then makes a point of allowing learning from them.Billy is a kid who is followed around by a monster who farts.  No one else (of course) can see Billy's monster farter so the sounds and smells resulting from the frequent flatulence is blamed on Billy, in school, on the bus, in supermarkets - everywhere.  Billy is humiliated by the presence of his monster friend. But there comes an important inspection day at school when Billy promises the teacher he loves to be on his best behavior.  Billy talks with his monster and plies his food graces with a breakfast of gas producing boiled eggs, baked beans, broccoli/cauliflower/cabbage and soda and they are off to school. Of course Billy's abdomen swells uncomfortably until during inspection his monster releases copious farts and Billy is humiliated.  But that night Billy's dad, knowing the events of the day, gently tells Billy that whenever he feels the gas building inside him he should just excuse himself and go somewhere alone and private, returning after his `monster' has performed...a very gently way to correct a social problem without disparaging a child.Chuka's drawings match the joy of his story and once again he has written a brave little book that will greatly appeal to kids - and to their parents! Very high quality work from David Chuka. Grady Harp, February 13