A fun book that explores how manatee really do float

Bubbles the Zooting, Tooting Manatee by Minky Stapleton (Scholastic) I have to admit I'm not a great fan of farting books, but this one is very cute. For starters, who doesn't love a Manatee? They're so ugly, they're adorable. And a Zooting, Tooting Manatee is next level. Bubbles lives in a peaceful river inlet with all her whanau. "All day long they move slowly around the bay, grazing on seagrass and mangrove leaves." Because, "In Manatee Society, the slower you move, the more elegant you are." And the secret to floating elegantly is "flatulence (a fancy word for farts)". While practicing their flotation moves, Bubbles discovers she likes to go fast. And the more seagrass she eats, the harder she toots and moves! Of course, that's not socially acceptable in Manatee Society. After a while, her mother has had enough and tells her to stop! Bubbles considers running away and sulks. But when danger strikes, who has the power, the finesse, the zooting tooting speed to save everyone...  Read this hilarious story to find out. There's even some 'Fun, farty facts about manatees' at the back of the book. And the artwork, also by Minky, is just as much fun as the text. She has created the pictures in Adobe Photoshop and Precreate Photo composite and also designed the book herself. A story about breaking out from social norms, being yourself, and having a laugh at a natural body expression. Kids will love it (though, there could be some smelly repercussions if it starts some farting competitions). I like how Minky hasn't dumbed down the language. She introduces French words, the proper word for flatulence, and has made the super-charged verbs big so they stand out. Could be used in the classroom for a Self-esteem unit or a Health unit on body functions or in a focus on verbs. Will be a much-loved book. Minky Stapleton is a multi-faceted illustrator with a range of styles. After many years in advertising agencies, she decided to follow her first love, illustration. Since then she's had exhibitions in South Africa and Australia, designed costumes for a rock opera, and created book covers for best-selling authors. She has also written and illustrated her own picture books for children including 'Roo and Vladimir' . Books she has illustrated include 'Nanas with Manners', 'Kia Kaha!', 'There's a bear in the window', 'Things in the sea are touching me!', and 'My Kiwi Gumboots'. I SBN: 9781775438793 (hardback) $24.99 ISBN: 9781775438502 (paperback) $21.99 Reviewed by Maria Gill