Silent but deadly ones are the best! (Pooh! Is That You, Bertie? - David Roberts)

Member Name: Claribella

Product:	Pooh! Is That You, Bertie? - David Roberts
Date:	19/05/09 (20 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Shows the reality of life

Disadvantages: Might be a bit too close for home for some people.

Whether you do it in public or in private, there is no denying that you don't do them at all. You might do it loud or you might do it silently but they both have the same effect. You might like to do it in the open air where it runs free or under the bed covers where you can wait patiently until it hits your partner right between the eyes. What am I talking about? Yes, the good, old traditional gust of wind that comes from in between your butt cheeks! There is something so funny about a fart, trump or whatever you like to call it, so when I saw this book at my local library I just had to bring it home.

I doubt that you will be surprised when I tell you that this book was written by the male of our species. Only a man would take a risk and enjoy writing a book that is dedicated to farts because in my humble opinion, they do them best. His name is David Roberts and the book was first published in 2004 by Little Tiger Press.

The story tells of a little toddler called Bertie who also breaks wind at any time or place without any embarrassment at all. His family try tell him off and try to make him feel bad for what he has done and as the book progresses Bertie feels a little hard done by. It's at this point that he reveals his family secret and that is how all of his family fart too.

The text in this book is very simple and there isn't many words on each page which makes it very easy and fun reading.

There is a repetitive part to the text whereby on every page when Bertie 'lets off' a member of his family will say 'Pooh is that you Bertie?' This particular part of the text is very big and fills quite a lot of the page.

The illustrations are very nice and Bertie looks like a very sweet toddler. All of the family members have big, googly eyes and although the colours that are used aren't very bright they are still very eye catching.

Sometimes when I read Noah a story I get so fed up of reading the same old thing that I tend to make up silly stories whilst turning the pages. The stories that I choose do have a theme which is mostly for my own entertainment so for instance instead of Postman Pat delivering a parcel to Mrs Goggins, he will do a poo on the floor and Mrs Goggins will have to clean it up. Yes I'm immature but it's funny and I like to see Noah's reaction. You can imagine that he was a little puzzled when I first read him this story. He kept looking at me waiting for me to laugh and tell him I was only joking. It wasn't until I had read it a few times that he actually settled into it and realized I wasn't playing a silly game and the words that were coming from my lips was what was written in the book. He absolutely loves this story now and of course finds it very funny. He keeps saying 'Mummy read that is you Bertie' which I find hilarious. He has actually sat down and read it himself a few times through remembering the words on each page.

I find this story a good read too. I love the fact that it highlights how prudish we are when it comes to breaking wind. It just shows the very matter of fact way a toddler's mind works and how it's quite hard to understand that everyone does it so why cover it up. At the moment we all have a good old laugh when Noah farts but as he gets older he is going to have to learn how unacceptable it is in society which is totally confusing to a young child's mind and makes me wonder why we all other trying to hide it. Maybe we should all just 'let rip and let live' instead of living in denial all of our lives!


Over all this book is a really funny read which gives you a little reality check on how pathetic society can be sometimes (I include myself in that too!). It also reminds the reader of how innocent little children can be and how confusing the world can be for them. I would definitely recommend that you read this story and I think that a child up to the age of five or six would adore this story.

If you want to purchase it then you can find it in Waterstones for £5.99 or I'm sure Amazon would do it for cheaper.

If you like this one then you might like to read 'Dirty Bertie' which is by the same author and uses the same character that is in this book.

Summary: A great book about farts!