Pranks a lot!
'Raġġiera għal Mastru Gerfex'
Author: Carmel G. Cauchi
Illustrated: Frank Schembri
Publisher: Merlin Publishers
What happens when a peaceful prayer retreat turns into a battle of jokes and pranks? In Raġġiera għal Mastru Gerfex, one of the best-loved characters in Maltese children's literature returns with a brand-new story in the Tarġa Tarġa series, combining Maltese humour with an accessible story that draws young readers in and keeps them turning the pages.
This time, Mastru Gerfex, the witty and much-loved elder of Ħal Busbies, organises a three-day retreat for the men of the village's senior citizens' association. But his plans are thoroughly upset when Kaspru l-Amerikan, who is not even a member, turns up too with the parish priest's permission. Kaspru has no intention of spending three days in silence and prayer, and sees the retreat as a golden opportunity to play yet another trick on Mastru Gerfex.
When Gerfex urges the participants to take the retreat seriously and keep silent, Kaspru decides that such saintliness deserves a halo! Using a piece of wire and some golden tinsel, he fashions a halo and secretly holds it behind Mastru Gerfex's head to ridicule him in front of the others. The prank works, but it leaves Mastru Gerfex fuming and hurt... and determined to get his revenge on Kaspru.
But the story is more than an exchange of pranks between two rivals. At its heart is the character of Mastru Gerfex himself: a kind-hearted, much-loved man who, even when he plays tricks, is never unkind. As the author himself puts it, "Mastru Gerfex is liked because he is a cheeky character who never lets a slight go unanswered. But I am very careful not to paint him as a malicious character. Even towards his rivals he always shows goodwill, as can be clearly seen in the epilogue of Raġġiera għal Mastru Gerfex."
The book is being presented as part of Merlin Publishers' Tarġa Tarġa series, which is built around a simple idea. Many children read books at a lower level than their age warrants, and are often given books that feel far too simple for them. This series is designed precisely to bring reading age closer to interest age, offering engaging, appealing stories while keeping the reading level accessible through reading support features. It is aimed at children aged seven and over who, for whatever reason, struggle to read in Maltese, or perhaps feel less fluent in Maltese than in English. To that end, the books in the Tarġa Tarġa series are printed on matte yellowish paper, and feature short chapters and text that is carefully spaced out on the page. The series also uses the EasyReading font, a typeface that is easy on the eye and helps, among others, children with dyslexia.
Like other books from the pen of Carmel G. Cauchi, Raġġiera għal Mastru Gerfex is accompanied by illustrations from Frank Schembri, whose artwork brings Ħal Busbies and its colourful residents to life on the page.
Cauchi is a Maltese author, poet and playwright, best known for his children's books and for the much-loved characters he has created, including Pietru Pitravu, Betta Trombetta, Sardinellu and Mastru Gerfex. He has won the National Book Prize four times and continues to write short stories and adventure books for children and adults alike.
'Raġġiera għal Mastru Gerfex' is available from bookshops across Malta and Gozo, or directly from the publishers at www.merlinpublishers.com