“Preca Publications” of Blata l-Bajda have just published a new book for children and adolescents entitled “Id-Dragun tad-Dragonara”. This is a translation and adaptation into Maltese of  “The Day the Fireworks Died” originally penned in English by Elizabeth-Anne Stewart. The Maltese version is the work of Carmel G. Cauchi and the full colour illustrations have been done by Frank Schembri.

On the eve of the feast of St Theodore, the patron saint of Hal Parsott, thick black clouds hang on the village and none of the fireworks will ignite. Teo, a fatherless boy and a village outcast, hears a mysterious voice telling him that St Theodore is displeased with the villagers because they are not living as true Chiristians. Teo tries to defend them but the voice sends him to meet the Dragon of Dragonara. The Dragon befriends the boy and takes him on a tour of Hal Parsott where the boy witnesses the heartlessness and corruption of the church-going villagers. There is the grocer who cheats hs customers by tampering with the scales, the clock seller who sells fake “antique” Maltese clocks, the confectioner who substitutes almonds with peanuts... There are many others who cheat their customers in some way or other.  But what will Teo and the Dragon do? Will the black clouds still hang heavily on the village? Will the fireworks still refuse to ignite? Will the village festa be celebrated?

The book can be bought at €4.90 per copy from Preca Library of Blata l-Bajda and other main outlets.