Even before its publication, Simon Bartolo and Loranne Vella's book, Wied Wirdien had sold over 1,000 copies in pre-sales, breaking previous records for children's books in Maltese.

It not only sold more than its precursor (Sqaq l-Infern) but broke new ground in Malta since it sold so much even before it hit the shelves. Another 300 were sold when the book went officially on sale last Friday.

The Maltese trilogy (il-Fiddien) is setting trends: the most striking being how its book launches take the form of exciting re-enactments from parts of the book down to the serving of actual food mentioned in the stories.

Last Thursday, the second book launch of the successful trilogy was held in traditional gusto, following an exciting build-up to the event.

As if last year's treasure hunt launch wasn't innovative enough, this year's event saw the young fiddien fans driven up in vans from a special meeting point to City Gate in Valletta, where they were met by their fellow adult fans, and were then escorted down Republic Street by the scary immarkati creatures to the secret launch location in Strait Street.

The fans were fed delicious morsels from the book about the normal teenage boy, Jason Baldacchino, who finds himself haphazardly thrown into an adventure mystery along with magic tea, supernatural plants and talking cats.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the book cover which had been kept, literally, under wraps.

With a recent report showing the Maltese placing last on the list among all Europeans when it comes to reading, this is what children and young adults need - making books accessible and fun.

Several people have written letters to the authors admitting that they had not touched a book in years but their stories had rekindled a passion for reading, according to Mr Bartolo.

The book launch was this year also taken to Gozo where scenes from the book were also acted out in the Cittadella.