There are few things in childhood more universal—and more giggle-inducing—than the sound of a toot. Whether whispered quietly under a blanket fort or announced loudly in a classroom circle, toots have a way of making children burst into laughter. But beyond the silliness lies a wonderful opportunity for teaching. In her playful children’s book Child Life Lesson 101: The Freckle Gifting Tooth Fairy, A Toot, and The Snoggles, author Cheryl C. Walls embraces these everyday moments with warmth and humor, reminding both parents and children that even the most embarrassing little accidents can become valuable lessons. Walls’s story A Toot captures what children already know in their hearts—that toots are funny, unexpected, and uniquely personal. But she also shows what parents and teachers hope to instill: that good manners, paired with a little humor, can turn even awkward moments into teachable ones. Through this story, Walls invites families to see laughter not as a distraction from learning, but as a pathway to it.
Every parent has been there. You’re sitting with your child at dinner or in the middle of bedtime reading, when suddenly a toot slips out. Your child bursts into uncontrollable giggles, cheeks turning red from laughter. At first, you might be tempted to hush them or quickly change the subject, but what Walls reminds us is that these moments matter. In A Toot, she describes how toots can be shy or sneaky, popping up without warning. They are not like the smells of skunks or monkeys at the zoo—they carry their own unique “signature.” It’s a playful way of telling children that their bodies are natural and normal. By putting toots in the spotlight rather than treating them as shameful, Walls gives children permission to laugh, learn, and move forward. This is exactly what makes her storytelling so effective. Children aged 3–8 are learning not only how their bodies work but also how to navigate the social world. By giggling over a toot while gently practicing the phrase “excuse me,” kids absorb a valuable social skill in a way that feels fun rather than forced.
Walls’s work is built on the idea that humor and imagination are some of the best tools for teaching life lessons. Just as her Freckle Gifting Tooth Fairy brings magic to the loss of baby teeth and her Snoggles transform runny noses into playful characters, A Toot reminds families that even the simplest, silliest moments carry meaning. Why does this approach work? Psychologists who study childhood learning often emphasize that children remember lessons more clearly when they are paired with laughter and play. A stern lecture about manners may fall flat, but a funny story that validates their giggles while modeling polite behavior leaves a lasting impression. That is exactly what happens when children read A Toot. They learn that everyone has toots, that they sometimes sneak out when you least expect them, and that the best way to handle it is not with shame but with grace. Saying “excuse me” turns embarrassment into empowerment. Children realize that they don’t have to hide or feel guilty—they can acknowledge it, laugh, and move on.
Walls’s storytelling is strongly personal, born from her experiences as a mother and inspired by her daughter Meredith’s childhood adventures. With A Toot, she carries that same parental perspective into a story that helps children build confidence in themselves. Instead of teaching children to fear embarrassment, she helps them see that their quirks make them unique. “Your toot has a smell that belongs just to you,” she writes, transforming something children often get teased about into a point of lighthearted individuality. That single line encourages kids to laugh at themselves instead of feeling self-conscious—a skill that will serve them well beyond childhood. Parents often worry about how to handle sensitive or silly topics with their kids. Walls provides an answer: keep it simple, keep it gentle, and keep it funny. Whether a child toots in the middle of class or during a family dinner, the lesson is the same: own it, excuse yourself politely, and let it go.
Although A Toot seems at first like a playful story about body humor, its heart lies in the greater values it promotes. By normalizing what is often considered embarrassing, the book teaches empathy. Children learn not to mock others when accidents happen, but to accept that everyone has these moments. A giggle together can turn what could have been teasing into bonding. The story also models resilience. When something unexpected happens, kids don’t have to crumble under the weight of embarrassment. Instead, they can laugh, use their manners, and move forward with confidence. This lesson extends beyond the world of toots—it’s about how children respond to all of life’s little accidents, from spilling juice on the carpet to sneezing in class. Walls’s ability to weave these lessons into her whimsical storytelling makes the book not just entertaining but practical. Parents, caregivers, and teachers can use A Toot as a conversation starter, opening space to talk about manners, empathy, and self-acceptance in a way that children will eagerly engage with.
