The Malta Independent 16 April 2024, Tuesday
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FIRST: Merlin Publishers give us their top 10 Maltese books, full of mystery, mischief and fun

First Magazine Wednesday, 19 April 2017, 10:26 Last update: about 8 years ago

Lupu Lupettu jibza minn dellu and Lupu Lupettu jinvestiga l-Muzew

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 scaredy-cat, 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)

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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+)

Irvin Vella: Il-Kaz tas-Serqiet Strambi

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 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 mill-Klassi 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+)

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)

Qrempucu

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 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+)

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 award-winning children's authors Leanne Ellul and Clare Azzopardi. (Ages 9+)

Jissokta l-Kaz ta' Saver u Ludmilla De Molizz

by Clare Azzopardi. Illustrated by Mark Scicluna

Shhh! Our lips are sealed but the long-awaited 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+)

 


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