Wearing paper headbands with the face of a donkey attached to it, four-year-old children at the Għaxaq Primary School sat enthralled as the story of the bullied donkey-turned-heroine, Tamara, unfolded before them.

The Children’s Commissioner produced the big book Tamara – il-ħmara li m’hawnx bħalha, which will be distributed to all Kindergarten 2 classrooms to encourage diversity and integration among children at an early age.

Tania Mangion, education officer for the Early Years who penned the book, explained that she specifically selected a donkey as the main character for its clumsy, dim-witted, rather negative connotations.

“We want to discourage people from pigeonholing each other.”

Commissioner Helen D’Amato explained that her office decided to produce the book after she noted the dearth in big books in Maltese.

Peter Aquilina, a student from the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, created vibrant illustrations, with colourful characters set against typical Maltese backdrops, such as the Valletta skyline and rubble walls.

The book is also accompanied by a CD, which contains a quiz, a set of flash cards and a sheet for colouring.

“The localised environment is one the children would be familiar with,” Ms D’Amato said.

We want to discourage people from pigeonholing each other

“In our schools, we have children from different backgrounds, different skills and capabilities. We don’t only have children from Africa but children from other European countries, who perhaps look more visually similar to us but who hail from different cultures and would have language problems.

“The values of solidarity and the embracing of diversity should be imparted at a young age.”

One of the biggest challenges facing the students today was the pressure exerted on them to achieve, Ms D’Amato continued.

Also, there were instances where children’s home environment did not reinforce that of the school.

“There are times when the attitude of certain families does not foster learning. Schools and homes must work in sync for the children to fully benefit.”