The Butt Book

Bennett, A. (2010). The butt book (M. Lester, illus.). New York: Bloomsbury.

Genre: Informational/Humor
Format: Picture Storybook
Recommended Age: 8 & Up

If you're looking for a way to lift your child's spirits, The Butt Book is the perfect antecdote to a foul mood. A rhythmic comedy, Bennett uses poetry as a medium to communicate the many functions of the rear end as well as a plethora of fun facts, all the while accompanied by even funnier illustrations. As soon as one turns the first page, they know they're in for a treat: "Eyes and ears are much respected, but the butt has been neglected. We hope to change that here and now. Would the butt please take a bow." Throughout the book children will learn what the butt is used for, which animals have butts, and different slang words used for the butt. Perhaps one of the most delightful illustrations in the book accompanied the lines "Some names for butts have foreign flair: tuchas, keister, derriere." Right above the lines, children's eyes are drawn up to see the bottom half of three men in their underwear. The first in boxers with the star of David across his tuchas, the second in suspenders, tall socks, and boxers with the German flag stamped upon his keister, and the third in little tighty whiteys with the French flag stretched across his derriere.

I would recommend this book for children ages eight and up. Children are just beginning to learn about their bodies at this age, and teaching them about their rear end will most likely be done best through the use of a little humor since at this age most will lack the maturity to seriously discuss the topic. Some parents, however, will likely have objections to this book as it uses the word "butt" on many occasions. For parents who do not wish their children to refer to their rear end as a "butt," I would therefore certainly not recommend this book. With this in mind, I would also suggest against the public reading of this book by teachers or librarians without first checking that it is alright with parents. Overall, though, The Butt Book was a joy to read. As I sat reading it in a Barnes & Noble, I found myself laughing quietly out loud on several occasions. This book has easily become one of my personal favorites, and I suggest it to anyone who enjoys a bit of silly humor every now and then.