Is it true that the world around us seems to be losing its colours and is slowly being overtaken by grey? This observation, expressed as a cry of protest and a spark of hope, however small, lies at the heart of the new children's picture book Fezzungla by Clare Azzopardi, published by Merlin Publishers and co-funded by the National Literacy Agency. Fezzungla is a woman on a mission, arriving armed with colour, noise, and a firm belief that beauty and colours still have an important place in our lives.
The city Fezzungla arrives in has been weighed down by the grey heaviness of concrete, and its people have grown anxious and irritable, having lost the joy they once knew. Fezzungla appears loudly, yet quietly, accompanied by Pistaċċ and Pagun, and begins to release colour after colour, restoring life to the city. She has a colour for everything, and gradually the people awaken from their stupor, opening windows and doors, leaning outside, and rediscovering the beauty of colour.
Yet, unfortunately, Fezzungla is not a fairytale hero who saves the world. As we follow her story, we realise that colours alone cannot halt traffic, dismantle concrete, or eliminate pollution. Those with the power to make a real difference do not seek out Fezzungla, nor are they interested in looking beyond their own horizons. Fezzungla can offer only a moment of beauty - something that may mean a great deal, yet at the same time can never be enough.
Azzopardi speaks with striking honesty about the thoughts that run between the lines of the book: "Fezzungla is hope, but only to a certain extent. Because, having written many books about the environment, I have learned over time that I cannot do very much. I cannot force people to change their lives, to walk or cycle instead of driving. I cannot plant trees everywhere. In this book there comes a moment where I seem to lose hope and realise that Fezzungla is no one but myself, simply delivering colour through storytelling."
Fezzungla speaks to all those who feel trapped in the grey: the grey of cities, of fumes, and even of people's moods, in a world that seems to have forgotten how to breathe. Through rhythmic, melodic prose and evocative imagery, Azzopardi creates a story that is gentle and accessible on the surface, yet profound and urgent underneath - a quiet lament that environmental destruction is not an abstract problem, but a present loss we experience and feel every day. And yet, the book does not preach; instead, it simply invites readers to open the window.
Naomi Gatt's illustrations demonstrate her ability to capture the emotional essence of a scene and spread it across the page in an explosion of colour, shapes, and expression. From the dull, grey pages of a joyless city to the unrestrained burst of colour brought by Fezzungla, Gatt's artwork clothes Azzopardi's prose and gives it a warm and lively visual life.
Azzopardi is one of Malta's most well-known and prolific authors, with a body of work ranging from picture books and school readers to short stories, plays, and novels. She has received numerous national literary awards and is widely regarded as one of the most important voices in contemporary Maltese literature, particularly in writing for children and young readers. Her work is recognised for its warmth, social awareness, and her gift for speaking to readers with openness and honesty.
Gatt is an illustrator whose work spans children's publishing, animation, and visual storytelling. Known for her expressive use of colour and her ability to fill every page with life, Gatt has also received several awards and established herself as one of the most talented visual artists currently working in Maltese children's literature.
Fezzungla is recommended for children of primary school age, though it has the power to move readers of all ages. For those who feel trapped in the grey, and for those who still believe that colour is worth fighting for, Fezzungla is available from all bookshops or online at www.merlinpublishers.com