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Today I’m interviewing Joan Holub, author of Fart Boy and Reeky Dog. This graphic novel for 7-10 year olds introduces readers to a smelly superhero and his dog sidekick as they fight to defeat an evil alien scientist plotting world domination!

I’m going to be honest. This blog is posting a few days later than I planned. Why? Because the moment Fart Boy and Reeky Dog arrived in the mail, my 8 year old snatched it out of my hands. He proceeded to read it three times in a row. It was his constant companion on the couch, in the car, and on the bus for several days. He kept giggling and showing me parts he found particularly hilarious. I believe his enthusiasm is the best testimonial for this action-packed, fart-powered adventure! But just in case you need a bit more persuading, here are a few additional reviews that are anything but stinky:

“My nine-year-old son loved this book. He kept stopping to tell me about the book, which is rare for him, and laughed the whole time. The graphics are well done and colorful.” — Ashley P, Reviewer (5 stars)

“My favorite part, though, was when the hokey pokey song was used to show how the beans made their way through his body to make extra strong farts. This book is lively, with fantastic, fun, bright pictures. Even the villain is fun and over the top.”
— Lisa D, Reviewer (5 stars)

And now, let ‘er rip!

Emily Starr: You have written more than 200 books for kids, but this is your first graphic novel! How was your writing process both similar and different for this format?

Joan Holub: Great question! Probably the most unique difference is that I drew sketches for the entire graphic novel even though I had no intention of illustrating the final book. (Can you say over-achiever?) I draw sketches for all of my picture books to better understand them. Therefore, it didn’t feel unusual to do it for my graphic novel. However at 140 pages, Fart Boy and Reeky Dog required a lot of drawing! The sketches helped me decide which words to keep and which to leave out. I also think they helped my editor understand my book right away when I submitted it. She could literally see the action!

Early Layout Sketches

Emily Starr: Wow! That sounds like a very involved, yet helpful process. So how much of the layout and illustrations did you ultimately direct (e.g., how many panels are on a page, what is shown in each image)? If you were very involved, what process did you use to figure out how each page should be divided? The book has an incredible variety of layouts!

Joan Holub: Illustrators have often told me that they like to see the picture book dummies I make because, instead of starting from zero, my ideas afford them a bit of a springboard. Some illustrators love to see my dummies, while others don’t want to be influenced. Either is fine with me. (By the way, I love what illustrator Rafael Rosado did with the story! He ultimately decided the color and layouts.)

Emily Starr: Authors are often told to use difficult vocabulary words sparingly, yet you use complex words throughout and really went for it in the opening Warning. Why did you make that decision and was it questioned by your editor?

Joan Holub: Wow! You are sharp. I didn’t even notice I’d done that! My editor never called me out on word complexity, which I certainly appreciate. I think I might have felt stifled. When I was a kid reader, I would simply gloss over any words I didn’t understand. I could usually figure out the general meanings. At the same time, I’m always mindful of not writing book vocabulary that is too hard my audience to read. No words like “hyperbole”!

Emily Starr: Someone might think this is a simple book about a farting superhero, yet you expertly weave in science concepts, songs, history, cultural references, and even an “Are You Evil?” quiz. Why did you incorporate these elements?

Joan Holub: Many of my books incorporate a few learning components. It’s not my main goal to teach, but I do enjoy sneaking in the occasional scientific experiment as per the Gas Giant research. And I love, love, love the “Are You Evil” quiz! Since it’s one of my favorite things in Book One (and a favorite of kid readers), I’ve included more Comix for Fart Boy and friends to read in Book Two.

Emily Starr: What research notes or lists did you keep close by when writing? For example, did you create a list of different ways to say “fart” as part of your writing process? (Nuclear Air Bagel is my favorite!)

Joan Holub: I’m so glad to hear that you are a Nuclear Air Bagel fan! Yes, I went online and gathered a lengthy list of many sayings that incorporate the word “fart”, “stinky”, “smelly”,  or that allude to those kinds of words. Plus I made up some of my own. (Can you say, “Garbanzo Gas Buster?”)

Emily Starr: Was there anything you cut out of the book because it was too controversial or gross?

Joan Holub: In my head, I’m always writing what my inner kid would want to read, and that wouldn’t be something super-gross or controversial. However, some parents or kids might think that even simple farts are gross. So you never know. Whatever gets kids reading works for me.

Emily Starr: As a Mom and an educator, I love the prompts in the back that encourage creativity and set kids up for thinking about the next book. What inspired you to include that aspect and format it as a series of questions? (It sparked a memory of the Rocky and Bullwinkle previews.)

Joan Holub: That’s good to hear! When I finish reading a book that’s full of possibilities for the main characters to do more, I often wonder, “What’s next?” So, I  mean, kids probably wonder: “Will there be a Fartmobile?” “Will Carl ever get a cool sidekick name?” “Do Ninjas fart?” The questions are endless and as I reader, I’d like some to supply some answers! (Stay tuned for Book Two!)

Emily Starr: Any hints about Book Two you can share with our readers?

Joan Holub: Yes! In Book Two: Fart Boy and Reeky Dog: Dino Doom you’ll find:

• More gadgets! More stanky explosions! More beans!
• More Crazy Rich Superheroes and Villains comix.
• Our main characters, Fart Boy, Carl, Liz, and Reeky Dog, and will meet (and learn about) long-ago dinos, plus “enjoy” some out-of-this-world travel.
• And last but not least, the troublemaking Professor Groovypants-Gravypants-PerfumeLady is back, with a hilarious new minion!

NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING AUTHOR and MULTIPLE AWARD WINNER JOAN HOLUB has written 220+ books for kids ages 2 to 13. Joan is co-author of the popular Goddess Girls middle grade series of 31 books and the Heroes in Training series of 18 books. Her best-known picture books include Zero the Hero, Little Red Writing, and I Am the Shark. She has written ten of the popular Who Was? series books, including Who Was Babe Ruth? and What is the Statue of Liberty? She’s the author of the This Little Trailblazer series of 10+ board books. Joan’s books have been named Junior Library Guild Selections and Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Books of the Year among many other accolades. Her first graphic novel, FART BOY AND REEKY DOG, has garnered a starred review from Publishers Weekly, among other awards.

As a former fourth grade teacher and founder of StarrMatica, a STEM publishing company, Emily Starr has developed award-winning K-5 science curriculum and professional learning materials for 20 years. She is a member of the Iowa State Science Leadership Team, a peer reviewer for the National Science Teaching Association’s journal Science and Children, and a frequent presenter at state and national education conferences. Her debut middle grade nonfiction book will be released in 2025 from the Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation.