Another milestone in Maltese books has been reached recently, with the publication of the first picture dictionary in Maltese featuring an extensive list of words and pictures totally localised and firmly planted in Maltese reality, culture and environment.

Stampakelma, the result of years of research and planning, is the work - both words and illustrations - of Trevor Żahra, and published by Merlin Publishers.

Stampakelma is unique in its genre, having in excess of 1,000 words and pictures, all grouped thematically: the human body, family, gardens, toys clothing, various rooms in a house, and many other themes. It includes words and pictures naming locally-found birds, animals, fish, flora, herbs, trees, fruit and vegetables, and sections on Maltese traditions and folklore. Both everyday words, as well as other less common words, are covered.

The dictionary also has an alphabetical index, in both Maltese-to-English and English-to-Maltese, as well as a section with brief background information on a number of topics covered in the book. Uniquely to this kind of picture dictionary in Malta, Stampakelma is divided into two sections: one for younger children and one for older. This ensures that the book is a worthwhile investment that will last a family for many, many years.

Localisation to the country where it is being used is crucial to a picture dictionary. And in fact Żahra has taken great care to ensure Stampakelma is full of words relating to the Maltese environment, culture and traditions: for example, one can find words used in festas, words relating to Maltese tradition and folklore, Church terminology, as well as our natural habitat.

The picture dictionary was launched by Merlin at Palazzo De La Salle, Valletta, where author Leanne Ellul and Dr Olvin Vella, president of the Akkademja tal-Malti, spoke about the dictionary's contents and its possible uses in classrooms and at home.

'Stampakelma' is available from all bookshops and online from www.merlinpublishers.com