Q&A with Joan Holub

 

 

Joan Holub is the author of the new graphic novel for kids Fart Boy and Reeky Dog. Her many other books include the Goddess Girls series.  

 

Q: What inspired you to write Fart Boy and Reeky Dog?

 

A: I’ve been a sci-fi fan since I was a kid, and one of my favorite sci-fi movies is Galaxy Quest. I love its humor, quirky characters, and its many wacky gadgets.

 

Reading lots of sci-fi books and watching sci-fi movies over the years inspired me to create my own quirky gadgets for Professor Groovypants and other characters in this--my first graphic novel.

Q: What do you think Rafael Rosado’s illustrations add to the story?

 

A: Graphic novel artists are in great demand, so I’m super lucky that Rafael signed on to illustrate Fart Boy and Reeky Dog. His art strikes the right balance between action, humor, and information.

 

The expressions he gave Fart Boy, Fart Boy’s school pals Liz and Carl, Professor Groovypants, and Mr. Toohard (FB’s teacher) are priceless!

 

Q:  The School Library Journal review of the book says, “This graphic novel is pure fun, taking classic superhero tropes and giving them a (very stinky) twist….it’s a laugh-out-loud adventure for kids and grown-ups alike.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: Fun and laugh-out-loud adventure? I’ll take it! And stinky? Tee-hee. In my tweens, I did a lot of babysitting, and there were plenty of kids who loved trying to surprise or shock me by blowing butt-bubbles in the bathtub or outside in blow-up pools. Ah…good times. (Ooh! And I love that SLJ notes that both kids and grown-ups will enjoy Fart Boy.)

 

Q: What do you hope kids take away from the book?

 

A: I hope kids will painlessly enjoy the science moments I sneaked into this book: A silly rhyming song they can sing about digestion; A class activity about real planets called gas giants; A lunch-lady emergency when the school runs out of pizza and must substitute tacos (which Fart Boy is allergic to and blows himself high in the sky).

 

Most of all, I hope this book will inspire kids to stre-e-etch their imaginations and create their own goofy characters with goofy problems!

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: My Penguin/RandomHouse editor has asked for a sequel (yay!). So Fart Boy and Reeky Dog, Dino Doom is in the works, pubbing in 2026. It’s mostly in illustrator Rafael’s capable hands at the moment, but I weigh in when any questions hit my desk during the art and design process.

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Well . . . I’m a line dancer, and just returned from a four-day line dance marathon in Durham, North Carolina. In the evening hours there I worked on some board books that involve song and dance for the very young.

 

Thank you so much for inviting me to your blog today, Deborah!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Joan Holub.