Merlin Publishers have just released a fresh slew of children’s books with topics that range from the issues that dominate our lives today to traditional Bible stories.
Stejjer mill-Bibbja għaż-Żagħar is a sturdy and very colourful pocket book that offers a light approach towards religion, with tales from the Bible being presented in a very user-friendly and beautifully pictorial fashion, making the book a very good first introduction to the topic for very young readers.
Presented in hardback format, the book was originally published in the UK under the title Tiny Tots Bible, with stories written by Lois Rock and illustrated by Kay Widowwson.
Each of the 20 tales were then translated into Maltese by Merlin Publishers. The stories walk the young readers – or their parents who might wish to read them out to them – through the main biblical highlights that most of us are already familiar with, covering Noah’s Ark, Joseph’s prophetic dreams, David and Goliath, Moses’s crossing of the Red Sea, Daniel and the lions, the birth of baby Jesus and the three wise men’s visit among others.
The stories are written in a simple manner, with big illustrations dominating each page, so that even the very young can enjoy them.
What makes this book even more useful is the way that the religious element is introduced in a very subtle manner, placing more focus on adventure, values and generalstory-telling that avoids being preachy and succeeds in being entertaining.
The other newly-released books all form part of the series of picture books and educational resources called Id-Dinja Tiegħi.
Fans will be happy to note the return of the character Lupu Lupettu. Lupu Lupettu ma Jridx Jimxi Iktar was originally written by Orianne Lallemand and translated from French by Maltese author Clare Azzopardi.
The illustrations by Eleonore Thuillier are truly beautiful and will not appeal only to the children. This time round, Lupu Lupettu has to deal with issues like public transport and the different seasons of the year.
Deals with serious issues such as inter-racial marriages, same sex couples, adoptions and other similar topics that children will nowadays certainly encounter even at a young age
Bertu l-Bebbuxu Supereroj is likely to garner quite a number of fans. Also translated by Azzopardi and with illustrations by Amandine Piu, this book might at first appear to be a simple and straightforward romp depicting cute creatures and nature.
In reality, it presents issues such as gaining autonomy and being your own person in a very clever and subtle manner by using the allegory of a little snail who wants to discover the world around him.
Next in line is Ġakki l-Pirata, illustrated by Michel Boucher and translated by Azzopardi. This is just the right nudge in the right direction for those parents blessed with super headstrong children, revolving around when children start growing up and wanting to do their own thing.
Thus, Ġakki refuses to wear the jacket that his mother insists on – outside, it’s cold. What happens next?
The cream of the crop, Kamilla Tixtieq Familja Ġdida, is the most courageous and ambitious book from the set so far, dealing – gently and in an amusing way that children will appreciate – with serious issues such as inter-racial marriages, same sex couples, adoptions and other similar topics that children will nowadays certainly encounter even at a young age.
The book was originally written by Yann Walcker and is translated by Azzopardi, while Mylene Rigaudie brings Kamilla, a rather cute hedgehog, to colourful life.
Despite the fact that topics treated are on the heavy side, the story is presented in without sounding patronising or making light of the subject itself.
The book starts off with Kamilla having some problems with her family. They are getting rather annoying with their attentions, so the little hedgehog decides to leave home and embark on a grand adventure.
Along the way she encounters a host of other animals, whose families and lifestyles are all so different from hers.
There is Jann, the donkey who has been adopted by a couple of horses; Dora born to a single mother; Enzo, the piglet born of parents of different breed; Batist, the young bull with two daddies and Klementina, the bird who has an owl as guardian, while her mother travels the world.
Some parents might be wary about introducing these kind of topics to their children.
However, the stories are narrated in such a way that the focus is on acceptance of diversity rather than the issue itself.
Nowhere are the actual words ‘adoption’, ‘same sex relationships’, or even ‘single parenthood’ mentioned, so it is up to the parents to figure out how far they want to delve into the subject.
Even if the reply to that is ‘not far at all’, the children will enjoy what remains, ultimately, a tale of adventure for the little ones.