(ARC was provided to read and review.)

There's no denying it, I'm a Dirty Bertie fan.
All his books are excellent for first chapter readers, as they usually come with three different stories which are each divided into 4 or 5 easily digestable chapters. Together with cheerful, comic style illustrations, they will delight even the most reluctant of readers.

In Crackers! Bertie has first to face that taking his dog along to participate with him in the school's nativity play wasn't his best idea, then he's rather unhappy as he has to assist his father in the santa's grotto as an elf (the picture of Bertie dressed up as elf is just fabulous fun) and in the last story he has some unexpected surprises for his family in store with his selfmade Christmas crackers.

Dirty Bertie is a hugely likeable character. You know he means well, but things will inevitably go wrong, and you find yourself excitedly turning the pages, waiting for the fun results of his actions. But it's not just Bertie you will love, there's Whiffer his dog, his family, the ever suffering teacher Miss Boot, the sweet girl next door Angela Nicely (who has a crush on Bertie since....well...forever) and his enemies at school Know-All Nick and Royston Rich.

I've read the book as part of the Whiffs and Sniffs compilation, which contains three of his books including Crackers!, Pirate! and Pong! and if you already know, what you're getting yourself into with mischievous little chappie Bertie, it's definitely worth going for.

Dirty Bertie books are fun and first class first chapter books. Highly recommended. ( )