‘Luna żżur Madrid‘
Author: Sherise Zammit
Illustrations: Naomi Gatt
When children read books about other countries and cultures, they begin to appreciate the vastness and beauty of the world beyond what they see around them every day. Thanks to books like these, children need not wait for the holidays to discover the joys of travelling and the magic of exploration!
Following the success of Ġanni’s travel series, which took young readers on adventures to London, Paris and Rome, Merlin Publishers are now introducing a fresh face to the family album. Luna is a curious little explorer whose greatest joy is travelling, and like her predecessor Ġanni, she loves to document every magical moment of her journeys in a personal album brimming with photographs, notes and memories.
Luna żżur Madrid is the fourth book in this beloved series aimed at children under seven. Those who already love Ġanni’s books will recognise the format that made the series so popular. They will now also discover a fresh perspective through Luna, brought to life thanks to Naomi Gatt’s artistic vision. While the series now has a new protagonist, it retains the same spirit of educational adventure, designed to bring the world closer to children.
On her first journey (but certainly not her last), Luna visits Spain’s capital city together with her parents. Like Ġanni’s travel albums that came before, each page conveys a sense of discovery as we see this vibrant city through Luna’s eager eyes. From royal palaces and art museums to the sweetness of churros and the sounds of guitar and castanets, the book invites young readers to explore a new culture in a delightful and cheerful way.
Author Sherise Zammit is a primary school teacher and mother. Her first book, Save Samyo City, won the Terramaxka Prize in 2015, and since then she has continued creating books that combine learning with adventure, with a particular passion for writing in Maltese for young children.
Speaking about writing this series, Zammit shared these thoughts: “This series is truly close to my heart. I enjoy writing these books to convey to children the magic and beauty to be found in different countries. Through these pages, young readers visit European cities, discover different cultures, typical foods, famous landmarks, and even learn some words in other languages. In this way, each story sparks a love for travel and creates memories that last forever.”
Experienced illustrator Naomi Gatt, winner of several awards, has given the series a fresh visual look, particularly through Luna’s expressive and energetic character. The charming album-style pages present vibrant scenes of Madrid with plenty of detail that encourages children to keep turning pages, discovering … and yearning to visit this city themselves one day.
Luna żżur Madrid can be enjoyed on its own or as a new chapter in a growing series that offers plenty of inspiration for families who love travel and exploration.
Luna żżur Madrid, along with all the books in the Ġanni series, is available from all local bookshops and online at www.merlinpublishers.com