Author Alan MacDonald dedicates book to Harry Fitzgerald

Harry Fitzgerald wrote to Alan MacDonald last year as part of a project set by Patcham Junior School.

The ten-year-old became a fan of the Dirty Bertie series written by Mr MacDonald.

Harry’s mum Louisa, 45, said the books have enthused her son, who has not normally enjoyed reading, to pick up a book.

He wrote to the author last year, and out of the blue he received a signed copy and letter in the post, and inside the latest Dirty Bertie book is dedicated to him.

It was a remarkable gesture by the author ahead of World Book Day on March 4.

Harry Fitzgerald from Patcham has had a book dedicated to him by children's author Alan MacDonald after writing to the author during lockdown

Louisa said: “When he got the book dedicated to him, it was a complete shock. It was a massive surprise, Harry was gobsmacked.

“Things have been a bit gloomy during lockdown. So it is lovely to get a magical surprise, out of nowhere, especially one you are not expecting.”

She said it has brought some cheer during lockdown a Harry reads the Dirty Bertie books to his grandmother over the phone.

Harry enjoys doing different accents for the colourful characters, including Italian, cockney, Welsh and Scottish voices.

Alan MacDonald said: “Harry wrote to me last year telling me how much he loved the Dirty Bertie books.

“I really liked the fact that he reads them to his Gran over the phone which has been a way of them sharing something that makes them both laugh over the last difficult year.

Children's author Alan MacDonald

“I thought I’d dedicate the next book to Harry and sent him a copy in the post.”

It was a touching gesture for the Fitzgerald family, where Louisa has been working as a drama teacher and dad Rob Fitzgerald has been working as a paramedic in Croydon.

Harry received goodies in the post from the author, and drama teacher Louisa said: “Harry is a reluctant reader, he never really had a big interest in reading.

Harry Fitzgerald from Patcham has had a book dedicated to him by children's author Alan MacDonald after writing to the author during lockdown

“Teachers encouraged him to try the Dirty Bertie series, and the books became something that Harry would finally pick up on his own. He really empathised with the characters in it.

Harry Fitzgerald from Patcham has had a book dedicated to him by children's author Alan MacDonald after writing to the author during lockdown

“After writing the letter Alan MacDonald wrote back to say thank you for the lovely surprise, and said he wrote the book with children with reading difficulties in mind.”

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