A children’s book about a Maltese family who nurses a shot flamingo back to health has shattered a tradition that scares off local publishers from national controversies.

Mingu was Merlin Publishers’ most sold children’s publication at the book fair, contradicting long-standing perceptions about the publication of books tackling hot topics such as hunting.

Penned by Clare Azzopardi and illustrated by Lisa Falzon, the book has no fixed target age and can either be read to, or read by children. The emotional story is brought to life with colourful rhymes and a springy rhythm.

It all starts on the day that Melissa, Klarissa and their mum hear a loud thudding sound in the backyard.

What could it be? A plane? A dragon? Sadly, the three find a beautiful pink flamingo in a lot of pain. The bird was shot while flying over Malta.

A book that helps children love and empathise with the vulnerable

It is the first time that hunting is tackled in a locally published children’s book, because historically, publishers tend to shy away from such controversial topics.

In fact, this has over the years given rise to the self-publication of books about issues such as sex, politics and religion.

Today, authors are still cautious and most do not seek out commercially established publishers.

Mingu is shot! Illustrations by Lisa Falzon.

Merlin Publishers director Chris Gruppetta told this newspaper that, while perceptions were changing, mentalities did not change overnight, especially when it came to children’s books.

The recent controversy over books about different gender and sexual orientations had made some publishers think twice.

Mr Gruppetta noted that, although the publishing house did tread more cautiously because of the sensitive nature of the hunting issue, he had no qualms about publishing the book. He sees the publication as a tool for parents to discuss the issue with their children.

The story is also a book about the vulnerable. It allows children to use their imagination and go beyond the literal. In the flamingo, they can see society’s most vulnerable, such as migrants and people with disabilities.

Although the storyline originally came to Ms Azzopardi “in a fit of anger” when a few flamingos flew over Malta and vanished within hours, the anger eventually cooled and the story grew into “a book that helps children love and empathise with the vulnerable.”