Editor’s Note: Maine Bound is a column

featuring new books written by authors set in the Pine Tree State or with other local ties.

ROUGH WEATHER AHEAD FOR WALTER THE FARTING DOG, by William Kotzwinkle, Glenn Murray and Elizabeth Gundy; illustrations by Audrey Colman; Dutton Children’s Books, New York, 2005; $15.99, children’s hardcover.

The sky’s the limit, apparently, in the third Walter the Farting Dog book, “Rough Weather Ahead,” by Maine husband-wife authors William Kotzwinkle and Elizabeth Gundy, Glenn Murray of Fredericton, New Brunswick, and illustrator Audrey Colman.

Walter the dog’s windy history goes back two previous volumes, and this time a certain Professor Kompressor shows up saying he can cure Walter’s problem. After studying the gastrointestinally challenged canine, the professor tells the family they should treat Walter with a special formula he’s developed.

At first the formula seems to work. Walter’s unpleasant outbursts cease. But in the meantime, gas builds up inside him. Walter’s belly starts to expand and he floats away, literally – over the city and into the wilderness, where a flight of butterflies discover flatulence’s redeeming properties.

Walter may or may not get down, but that’s for you to find out. “Rough Weather Ahead,” despite its turbulence, is a comical and warm-hearted book if you or your sense of humor is between the ages of about 6 and 10; you may also be prompted

to sniff out the original “Walter the Farting Dog” and its explosive sequel “Trouble at the Yard Sale.”

In addition to the Walter stories, Elizabeth Gundy is the author of “The Disappearance of Gregory Pluckrose” among other novels, and William Kotzwinkle’s works include the best-selling novel version of “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” “The Bear Went Over the Mountain” a satiric novel set in Maine, and “Trouble in Bugland” for kids. He won a World Fantasy Award in 1977 for “Dr. Rat.”

Borders Books in Bangor will host author Glenn Murray 7-8 p.m. Monday, July 11 for a book signing and reading. It should be a blast.

Dana Wilde can be reached at dana.wilde@umit.maine.edu.

BY DALE MCGARRIGLE

OF THE NEWS STAFF

THE SAPPHIRE SEA, by John B. Robinson, Avon, New York, 2005, paperback, 317 pages, $6.99.

In his debut novel, this Portland author has penned a story of obsession.

His lead character, Lonny Cushman, is a washout from New York high society, who has spent years kicking around Africa, picking up little gems for pennies on the dollar from the natives for his well-known jeweler father. He’s left behind a failed marriage and a young daughter that he misses intensely.

Then one day, while trespassing on a forbidden reserve in Madagascar, he finds his ticket out – a luminous sapphire the size of a swan’s egg.

That happens very early in the novel. The rest of the book sees Lonny trying to smuggle his prize back to civilization, past corrupt bureaucrats and soldiers who want it for themselves.

Robinson knows whereof he speaks. After graduating from Harvard University, he bought a one-way ticket to Africa, where he worked as a guide on Mount Kilimanjaro, traded, bought and sold rare gems and taught English. He mines those experiences for “The Sapphire Sea.”

Robinson brings Africa alive for those who haven’t been there, and paints a stark portrait of a man who at first gets caught up in forces stronger than him, but who eventually triumphs.

Dale McGarrigle can be reached at 990-8028 and dmcgarrigle@bangordailynews.net.