Whether you like it or not, poop happens, and children want to learn about it. That’s where “Poopendous!,” a new book by Artie Bennett, comes in. It teaches kids all about doo-doo, from the droppings of animals big and small to how humans in different cultures make use of waste.
With “Poopendous!,” kids will learn that, in the animal kingdom, poop can be round droppings (like that of rabbits) or tubular pellets (from raccoons). It can be white (like from birds) or cubed (such as Australia’s wombat). It can be dry (from a camel) or flat and messy (like what cows leave behind).
Termites live in mounds of poop, and dung beetles use it as food. It can carry seeds around the world, and once the seeds are dropped, the poop will help plants take root and grow. Farmers and gardeners use manure for that very reason. Monkeys sometimes like to throw poop, and people at fairs do it, too, (only they call it a “cowpie” or a “cow chip”). In either case, that poo is really far-flung dung. Yuck!
Poop can mark a trail, or it can mark territory. If you like to hike, droppings can tell you if animals may be nearby. Some people build houses out of poop, and others use it as fuel for cooking or to stay warm. Then there are those who use it as a souvenir or even for making j-ewww-elry!
Yes, indeed, “Poopendous!” is cute. The rhyming story about ca-ca, doo-doo, flop, guano, scat and dung will give your child piles of giggles. But Bennett also teaches kids a smidge of science and a bit of biology, too — a benefit that doesn’t wipe away the silliness one bit. Add illustrations by Mike Moran, which run poopendicular to the narrative, and you’ve got a book that kids will never want to leave behind.
Meant for children ages 5 to 7, I think this book might de-squirm the right preschooler, too. If your child wants the scoop on poop, “Poopendous!” is the book to scoop up.
“Poopendous!” by Artie Bennett [36 pages, Blue Apple Books, $16.99] is recommended for kids ages 5 to 7.
Terri Schlichenmeyer has been reading since she was 3 years old, and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill with two dogs and 12,000 books.
