MERLIN PUBLISHERS GIVE US THEIR TOP 10 MALTESE BOOKS, FULL OF MYSTERY, MISCHIEF AND FUN Lupu Lupettu jibza minn dellu and Lupu Lupettu jinvestiga lMuzew
by Orianne Lallemand, translated into Maltese by Clare Azzopardi and illustrated by Eléonore Thuillier Lupu Lupettu is not your average storybook wolf. He is a bit of a scaredycat, he does not like raw meat and he particularly hates howling. His trials and tribulations are the same as those of most children: he hates walking and he is scared of the dark and lurking monsters. (Ages 5 – 8)
Il-Qtates ta’ max-Xatt by Clare Azzopardi. Illustrated by Lisa Falzon The story of Il-Qtates ta’ max-Xatt was born when author Clare Azzopardi was in the playground with her young nephew and he said to her: “If mama dies, can I live with you?” Illustrated by Lisa Falzon, it is a tale of loss in an unconventional way – the main characters of the book are the cats living in a public garden in what looks very much like Sliema. (Ages 4 – 8)
Fittixni by Antoinette Borg Jack spends his summer holidays with his grandmother in a sleepy village in Malta. While rummaging in the cellar, he comes across a photo of his grandmother’s family when she was still a child. Someone in the photo stands out: an unknown little blonde girl. Jack manages to unearth the incredible story of Jessica and her daughter and uncover secrets that have been buried for 70 years. (Ages 12+)
to hit the Maltese bookshelves. Written by John A. Bonello and illustrated by Lisa Falzon, it is a whodunit full of hidden clues, action, suspense and a good dose of humour. (Ages 9+)
Stejjer ma Jitwemmnux millKlassi ta’ Miss Ambrozja Pulis Kiftaranipengini by Audrey Friggieri. Illustrated by José Luís Ocaña Miss Ambrożja is no ordinary teacher. She seems to have magical powers and is capable of transporting the children to different realities to teach them life lessons. Illustrated by Spanish artist José Luís Ocaña, this is a sequel to last year’s surprise hit Avventuri mill-Klassi ta’ Miss Ambrożja Pulis Kiftaranipenġini. (Ages 8+)
Teresa by Deborah Abela. Translated into Maltese by Leanne Ellul and Clare Azzopardi Inspired by her own family’s survival, Australian author Deborah Abela wrote Teresa, the fictional story of a young girl and her parents who, after the war, set sail for Australia, leaving behind in Malta some of Teresa’s nearest and dearest friends and family. The book was a best-seller in Australia and has now been translated into Maltese by awardwinning children’s authors Leanne Ellul and Clare Azzopardi. (Ages 9+)
Imeldina u l-Imbarazz by Sandra Hili Vassallo. Illustrated by Beatrice Costamagna Children and clutter go hand in hand and Sandra Hili Vassallo’s book is about just that. It is a sequel to Imeldina, published three years ago, which tells of a little girl who enjoys splashing around in her red boots.The book is enhanced by the beautiful illustrations of Italian artist Beatrice Costamagna. (Age 3+)
Fil-Kamra ta’ Jonas by Noel Tanti. Illustrated by Matt Stroud Where is Jonas’s father? What happens when the boy eventually climbs the stairs to his room and lies down on his bed? Why does his pet goldfish Feliċ open its mouth so wide and is it going to swallow him? A spell-binding, emotional story by Noel Tanti, brought to life by illustrator Matthew Stroud. (Age 5 – 8)
Irvin Vella: Il-Kaz tasSerqiet Strambi Qrempucu by John A. Bonello. Illustrated by Lisa Falzon Irvin Vella: Il-Każ tas-Serqiet Strambi is the sequel to Irvin Vella Il-Każ Manduca – the first detective in children’s fiction
little mouse who sets off on an adventure-packed journey in search of Cheese Town, has been republished. The new edition of the book includes illustrations by brothers Mark and Nicholas Caruana who created the 3D feature film Qrempuċu for the big screen. (Age 8+)
by Trevor Żahra. Illustrated by Mark and Nicholas Caruana He’s cheeky, he’s cute, he adores cheese and he’s back! The tale of Qrempuċu, the
Jissokta l-Kaz ta’ Saver u Ludmilla De Molizz by Clare Azzopardi. Illustrated by Mark Scicluna Shhh! Our lips are sealed but the longawaited third volume of the bestselling De Molizz series will be out very, very soon! What is Saver up to this time around and who is this ‘Ludmilla’? We can’t wait to find out! (Age 8+)
READING CLASSES FROM 0 – 6 YEARS
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ead with Me (Aqra Miegħi) is a free, onehour, weekly early literacy bilingual programme intended for children aged 0 to three and their parents or care-givers. It shares a love of books through fun and playful activities, including the singing of nursery rhymes. The morning and evening classes also promote book-sharing, and encourages the parents to do this with their children. The Magic of Stories (Seħer l-Istejjer) is for children aged four to six and their parents or care-givers and is held in the evenings. These highly interactive sessions are in Maltese and English and are held in local or school libraries and are hosted by local councils, schools and Malta Libraries. It is run by the National Literacy Agency in collaboration with the Centre for Literacy of the University of Malta, Bank of Valletta and Malta Libraries. To reserve a place, or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer following a training programme, call 2598 2990 or send a message to aqra.storja@ilearn.edu.mt. More information is available on Facebook pages: Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me and Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories. 45