Woof! Vroom! Moo! These are some of the first sounds young children learn to make before they begin to communicate with words. Through sounds like these, children start to understand and express their curiosity about the world around them.

Sound books - where children can press buttons embedded within the pages to hear corresponding sounds - are an ideal way for little ones to learn about their environment in a fun and interactive way. It's no surprise that books of this type are common and very popular. However, in the local market, they are mostly offered exclusively in English. As always, Merlin Publishers lead the way in providing educational resources in the Maltese language and, true to form, they are proud to be launching two new sound books in Maltese: Isma' l-Annimali and Isma' l-Vetturi.

These interactive books, featuring beautiful illustrations, easy-to-use buttons and realistic sounds, are designed to introduce children to the sounds of farm animals and the vehicles we encounter daily on our streets. At the same time, the books offer an opportunity for children to learn new vocabulary in Maltese.

In Isma' l-Annimali, children meet various farm animals, from cheerful chicks to content cows. The illustrations depict these friendly creatures in their environments - the duck splashing in the sun, dogs herding sheep, and donkeys quietly working on the farm. Each page invites children to press the buttons, listen, and perhaps even mimic the sounds these animal friends make.

Isma' l-Vetturi then takes children on an exploration of our streets, where they meet a variety of vehicles, from police cars to rescue helicopters. The vibrant and colourful illustrations evoke movement and energy, and each vehicle has its distinctive shape and sound. Children can learn to recognise these sounds and, helped by their parents, discover the important roles these vehicles play in our society.

These new books are the latest additions to Merlin Publishers' growing collection of innovative titles for young children. Following the success of the novelty books Dinosawri bil-Ġuħ, Maġikarti and L-ewwel ktieb pop-up tiegħi, as well as the Fittex u Sib books launched in recent months, these sound books further showcase the publisher's commitment to providing interactive, high-quality reading experiences in Maltese for young children.

Isma' l-Annimali and Isma' l-Vetturi are perfect for children just beginning to explore the world around them. These books are suitable for individual play or for reading together with parents, siblings or peers, offering an educational experience that can be enjoyed repeatedly.

The books are available at bookstores across Malta and Gozo, as well as online at www.merlinpublishers.com