My husband's sister has two daughters. I like the kids. Sister-in-law? Not so much. So when the holidays roll around, I engage in ... well ... a little subversive behavior. (I'm not proud of it, mind you, but it's like a sickness with me. I just have to.) So I'll spend some thought time thinking about gifts for the girls that (1) they'll enjoy and (2) that also carry a darker, more subversive message for their mother. Or worse, personalized gifts that the girls will want to keep out and around all year round. (All in the spirit of the season, of course.)

I outdid myself this year. This year's gift for the six-year old is the best-selling children's picture book, Walter, The Farting Dog. It is hilarious, completely outrageous, and just the kind of book that children will beg to have read to them over and over again. (High-five!)

Walter's story is quite simple. Adopted from the local dog pound, Walter is a older, overweight dog who farts. He farts all the time. The farts are quite nasty and disturbing to the adults of the family, especially Dad. Threatened with being returned to the pound, Walter vows to keep his farts to himself. That night, as Walter desperately, painfully tries to deny his true nature, the house is burgled. Walter, who can't hold back any longer, lets one fly. Unable to breathe, burglars jump out the window. Police catch them. Walter is redeemed as hero. Dad decides to ignore the farts. Good dog, Walter.

I read the book to my own children, ages seven and nine. I was laughing so hard with each page it took me twice as long to finish the book with them as usual. The illustrations are a little bizarre, but perfect. The text is simple, straightforward and plays the perfect "straight man" to the comedy of the story and its illustrations.

I gave the book to my husband to read and heard his laughter in the next room. I gave the book to my 14-year old to read. She wanted to appear cool and ironic, giving me the combination teen fish eye/eye roll I find so endearing. But Walter got to her. I heard my cherub's laughter even behind her closed door.

I've discovered that Walter, The Farting Dog is a series with several titles. Oh boy. I can hardly wait for next Christmas and the Christmas after that. My sister-in-law will so love me encouraging her children in the sublime joy of reading that leads to pee-in-your-pants, can't-catch-your-breath laughter.

Good dog, Walter.

(To be fair, my own children have now begged me to buy every Walter book in the series. My pleasure, too, since laugh-out-loud reading is a joy with young and even not-so-young kids!)

And a happy ho-ho-ho to you!