Hamilton author pens pungent tale about a boy and his fart

Everybody can cut the cheese - but not everyone gets to call a toot their best friend.

That is, unless, you're the main character of a new children's book written by Hamilton author Paul Moncrieffe and illustrated by Oakville artist Dean Outschoorn.

The self-published book, titled The Incredible Adventures of Toot and Jimmy," tells the tale of how a 10-year-old boy named Jimmy squeaks out his best friend, Toot, and they become Stink Boy, a superhero who saves their school from a monster made of chewing gum, using farts.

It's a story that got its start back in 2019.

Outschoorn and Moncrieffe met at the Hamilton-based animation studio, Pipeline Studios, where the pair worked together on a handful of high-profile shows and Emmy-nominated projects like Elinor Wonders Why."

They would often spend hours in each other's offices, bouncing new ideas off of one another - all while building a creative partnership," said Moncrieffe in an interview with The Spectator.

After a pitch meeting one day, the pair were once again back in Outschoorn's office and Moncrieffe was throwing around proposals.

But this time, it was for a project of their own.

Outschoorn, a father of three boys who love to read, suggested they create a book. And as an ode to his sons, it could focus on one of their favourite things. So, the idea of a book about the friendship between a kid and his fart was born.

I immediately said That's genius, let's do it,'" said Moncrieffe. And that was when the concept started."

The process of creating the book officially began in 2020, an affair that was hastened by pandemic-induced downtime and a cancer diagnosis for Outschoorn. They also recruited Moncrieffe's partner Ally Simpson as their editor.

The trio held creative sessions over Zoom that saw them condense what was a 20,000-word story down to its eventual near 100-page finished copy, provide feedback to one another on Google Docs and watch Outschoorn rough out the design of each page in real time.

And despite very few in-person meetings, the years-long process was very easy," said Outschoorn.

It was still really creative and really seamless," said Outschoorn. Especially with being able to share screens, it was great."

What they ended up with was an emergent reader chapter book full of colourful, action-packed illustrations that would sit on the same shelf as the beloved series Captain Underpants" or The Bad Guys."

But the story is about much more than a boy and his fart, said Outschoorn. It's also meant to teach children about the power of friendship and accepting yourself for who you are.

It's all about heart," said Moncrieffe.

So far, the book is available to purchase online on Amazon, Indigo, Barnes & Noble as well as in person at Epic Books. It will eventually be available at the Hamilton Public Library.

Simpson said the feedback they've heard from readers and their families has been really amazing," noting they've also received fan art from kids, which they call Farts and Crafts.

Moncrieffe also pointed to their quick success after launching the book in mid-June, which saw them enter the top 10 sellers list on Amazon.

It's really just fuel to keep going," said Outschoorn. We all feel that we really have something here."

Their second book, The Incredible Adventures of Toot and Jimmy vs. Dog Snot," is set to be published and available for readers in September.

Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com