Farty Barty Saves the Day!

Farty Barty Saves the Day!

A rhyming picture book

FARTY BARTY
SAVES THE DAY!

What if the thing that made everyone run away from you turned out to be exactly what could save the day?

Farty Barty Saves the Day book cover
A little wind. A big adventure.

Inside the story

Meet an unlikely hero.

746 words · Ages 4–8 · Rhyming picture book

Bart’s uncontrollable farting makes him an outcast at home and school until he meets Bill, a neighbor whose windmill stands still without a breeze. Where everyone else sees an embarrassing problem, Bill sees potential: Bart can provide exactly the gusts the windmill needs.

With escalating potty humor, playful rhyme, and plenty of heart, Farty Barty Saves the Day! turns one boy’s biggest embarrassment into an unexpected superpower — and shows how the thing that makes him different can make all the difference.


Meet Farty Barty! A fresh face. A questionable breeze.
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Read the complete story

Explore the illustrated book below, or open the text-only manuscript.

Illustrated by Andi Triyanta


The read-aloud experience

A story with a little extra atmosphere.

FARTY BARTY SAVES THE DAY!
(AI-generated narration. Compiled and produced by Flatus Maximus)

The story, manuscript, and creative direction are original works by Flatus Maximus.

At the heart of the book

Sometimes, the thing that makes you different makes all the difference.

With playful rhyme and a generous helping of humor, Bart’s adventure turns an embarrassing
problem into an unexpected gift — a story about friendship, acceptance, and finding your place.


Behind the story

A note from
the author.

Ralph Hertelendy, author writing as Flatus Maximus
©The SF Chronicle/Brontë Wittpenn

I’m Ralph Hertelendy, a father, entrepreneur, and Napa Valley winemaker with more than two decades of winemaking experience. I write children’s stories as Flatus Maximus, but it all started with making my niece and nephew laugh.

I wrote Farty Barty Saves the Day! for them in 2021 to stay connected during the pandemic. What began with unabashed potty humor grew into a story about belonging — and discovering that your biggest embarrassment might be your greatest gift.

Now a father of two young children, I’m dreaming up more of Bart’s adventures, including a sequel that makes potty training less intimidating and more fun. Whether I’m making wine or writing stories, I love bringing people together — and most times, that begins with a laugh.

— Ralph Hertelendy

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Farty Barty Saves the Day! A story by Flatus Maximus
© 2026 Ralph Hertelendy. All rights reserved.