Someone Farted

A lot can be said about farts, but one thing is certain: they reveal character. Case in point: Kaplan’s Krupke family. While driving in silence to “their dreaded weekly food shopping,” someone toots. Sally notices it, then denies it, as do her parents and younger brother, Vinnie. The farting continues, and the Krupkes land in jail after nearly getting into a traffic accident (“They were put in a cell with a couple of kidnappers and some thieves”). Pushed to the breaking point, the Krupkes realize that they love each other—even if Sally continues to vehemently deny any gassy responsibility. Dad gives “an impassioned speech about blame and shame and love and family and, of course, farting” that brings the judge to tears. Kaplan’s totemic watercolor-washed characters may be blank eyed, but they’re fully capable of expressing fury and affection (although fury does seem to be their métier). Soon enough, the Krupkes are back in their car and on their way to dreaded shopping, having learned an important lesson about life and/or flatulence: this, too, will pass. Ages 4–8. (Apr.)