'Dlinn dlonn, Uppa, Vrumm!'

'Ping pong: partita stejjer'

Author:  Susi Danesin
Illustrations: Francesca Carabelli
Maltese adaptation: Clare Azzopardi

Publisher: Merlin Publishers / 2025

Imagine a book that, instead of simply telling you a story and inviting you to read it, asks you to stand up and perform it. This is the idea - and the magic - that Merlin Publishers have just brought to Maltese bookshelves with two new children's titles: Dlinn dlonn, Uppa, Vrumm! and Ping pong: partita stejjer. Originally published by the Italian publishing house Parapiglia and adapted into Maltese by Clare Azzopardi, both titles were co-funded by the National Literacy Agency.

At the heart of these two new books lies a simple yet powerful idea: reading can be a game, a performance, and a shared adventure. These books transform reading from a quiet, passive activity into an energetic, lively - and at times delightfully noisy - experience. They are not books to be read silently in a corner, but stories to be animated, performed, interpreted and experienced, ideally along with someone else.

Dlinn dlonn, Uppa, Vrumm! invites readers to step into the story and become part of it, in a whirlwind of strange creatures, mysterious gifts and ever-changing settings. Yet beyond the narrative itself, the book offers something more: detailed instructions that guide readers to create their own special effects using sounds, movements and vocal expression. Readers whistle, shout, change voices, mimic animal sounds and even turn the book upside down to create the story's soundscape. The result is a truly interactive and joyful experience in which the reader becomes, at different moments, narrator, actor, investigator - and sometimes even animal or instrument.

Ping pong: partita stejjer takes this interactive experience a step further and is designed specifically to be read and enjoyed with someone else. Readers play different roles, divide up characters, perform scenes and bring the storytelling to life together. The narrative bounces back and forth, like a game of ping pong, and unfolds as a creative journey through different storytelling genres. Along the way, readers encounter mystery, suspense, humour and even a touch of romance, all woven into a format that continually evolves and surprises.

The strength of these books lies in the dialogue between text and illustration. Susi Danesin comes from the worlds of theatre and reading promotion, and this shines through on every page: her writing is meant to be heard, not just read. Francesca Carabelli complements this approach perfectly, with a bold and energetic visual vocabulary that enhances the performative nature of the texts.

The Maltese adaptation is the work of Clare Azzopardi, a writer and translator who has left a lasting mark on Maltese children's literature over many years. Her translation captures the rhythm, tone and musicality needed to truly bring these books to life.

Reflecting on the translation process, Azzopardi explains: "Whenever I translate, I throw myself into it completely, because I enjoy negotiating meaning, preserving voice and tone, and rebuilding rhythm - sometimes entirely anew - to ensure it works in my language."

The result is a recreation of the original in Maltese: faithful to the text, yet culturally resonant for local readers. "These books were tremendous fun because they talk about the book itself: about reading, about reading in different ways, about stepping into characters from different stories and playing with them as you wish. I think we couldn't give children anything more wonderful than these two books. Even their titles are a game in themselves."

Dlinn dlonn, Uppa, Vrumm! and Ping pong: partita stejjer are recommended for children aged six and up, but beware: the adults in the room may well find themselves swept up in the game too. These are books for families, classrooms and anyone who believes the best stories are the ones that make a little noise, and those that are best enjoyed together.

With Dlinn dlonn, Uppa, Vrumm! and Ping pong: partita stejjer, Merlin Publishers once again reaffirm their commitment to innovative children's literature, offering young Maltese readers not just stories, but complete experiences.

Dlinn dlonn, Uppa, Vrumm! and Ping pong: partita stejjer are available from all bookshops and online at www.merlinpublishers.com.