Dirt Boy

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Summary: If you love dirt, you'll love Fister Farnello!
Review: Fister Farnello is a great example of a child that simply cannot understand why anyone would ever want much less need to take a bath. Fister is a very wild boy who has a sincere passion for dirt. If you are the parent of a Fister you'll love this book! Dirt Boy is a great way to introduce children, in a fun way, to the need for bathing. The illustrations are wonderful and show Fister in his full dirt covered glory. This book is easy to read and would work well with younger children (especially those who tend to run from the bathtub).

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Summary: Dirt Boy, my favorite
Review: Have you ever wondered how to convince some little boys that they need a bath? "Dirt Boy" is the answer. This is an excellent book to teach the concept of cleanliness. The use of sensory words makes the reader able to smell, see, and feel the impact of not bathing. As a classroom teacher, I see many ways to intergrate other subjects into a literature lesson. For example, a study of the senses, study of adjectives, and a math lesson on the number of cleaning products necessary to get Fister clean.

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Summary: Must Have book For Elementary Teachers ( Pre K-2)
Review: Looking for the perfect book to get the point accross about good personal hygiene. This is the book for you. The author demonstrates the importance of staying clean and having fun. The illustrations are wonderful and the story will keep the interest of the whole class. It is an awsome book that makes everyone smile. I recommend this book for any teacher or parent who has some dirt boys or girls of their own.

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Summary: I love DIRT BOY
Review: My brother and I make our mom read this book every night. My favorite part is when the birds make a nest in Fister's hair, and then they say PU! I like the giant, Dirt Man, too. We laugh when Fister's mom squirts him with the hose and says Shoo shoo. She thinks he is a monster.

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Summary: If you love dirt, you'll love Fister Farnello!
Review: The delightfully gross tale of Finster Farnello-who revels in dirt-and his mother who calls him "you smelly-stinky-mucky-gritty-grimy-grubby-little-dirt-boy." (This book can be fun to read.)

In a slightly disturbing twist, Finster runs away from home and meets Dirt Man, who hasn't taken a bath in 1,000 years. Finster copies the giant until his body grows weeds, moss, and slime. Unfortunately, his filth is appetizing to the Giant!

There is a happy ending, as Finster discovers that while he "still likes to get dirty... he also likes to get clean." 30 pages, and vivid pictures constructed with such media as gouache, acrylic, crackle medium, modeling paste, sponges, fingers, old toothbrushes, and watercolor. The plot could have been more clever, but, judging by the other reviews here, kids just eat this one up!

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Summary: Dirt Boy hits pay dirt!
Review: What a terrific book! My children sat spellbound as Farnello Fister grew dirtier & dirtier, and cackled with glee at his belly-button bed and green breath! They've always enjoyed playing in mud, but now they look forward to bath time, too!

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Summary: What a wonderful wordless picture book this would have made!
Review: When Mom tries to force filthy Fister Farnello into the tub, he rebels and runs off into the woods and lives in his own filth with his new friend Dirt Man. A fun concept falls flat with text bland enough to be left out entirely. "Fister Farnello loved dirt" begins this picture book, and right away, I thought, why didn't Slangerup say he "dug" dirt? Although the editor/author attempts to jazz things up by playing with the text (bold, capitals, etc.) the writing is medicore at best and the author tells instead of showing. The descriptions of Dirt Boy at his worst are redeeming, but the illustration still captures the scene much more effectively. The pictures, mostly earth-tones, are wonderful, and stand alone to tell the story. Perspectives and mood vary greatly; illustrations show a closeup of a joyful Fister grasping a muddy worm and a larger than life giant sprawling off the page. In one sad blue tranquil scene, Mother languishes in a chair, snoozing and hoping for the return of her wild child, and a blast from the hose bowls Fister over and shoos the birds from their nests in his snarled hair. Details like scissors, rubber gloves, and bottles and bars of soap drive home Slangerup's humorous itinerary of what is needed to make Fister clean again, and a squeaky clean Fister admits to the delight of washing the dirt off. If you share this one in storytime, you may as well skip the text. Show during a unit on mud or hygiene, and serve up with gummi worms in chocolate pudding & oreo dirt.