Eight Books, One Mission: Katerina Inspires Habitat Conservation Across the Maltese Islands

The Foundation is pleased to announce the themes on which the books in The Adventures of Katerina series will be based.

The series will comprise eight illustrated books written in Maltese and targeted at students in Years 3–5 of primary school. The aim is to combine engaging storytelling with environmental education, helping children develop a deeper understanding of Malta’s natural heritage and the importance of its protection.

Each book will explore a different Maltese habitat, highlighting its unique characteristics and the role it plays in sustaining biodiversity and ecological balance. Through Katerina’s adventures, young readers will be introduced to the importance of conservation and the interconnectedness of Malta’s natural environments.

The local habitats featured throughout the series include:

Steppe (l-isteppa)
Garrigue (ix-xagħri)
Maquis (il-makkja)
Woodland (il-bosk)
Saline marshlands (bwar salmastri)
Freshwater rock pools (l-għadajjar tal-ilma ħelu)
Sand dunes (l-għaram tar-ramel)
Valley watercourses and riparian communities (il-widien)
Caves (l-għerien)
Cliffs (l-irdumijiet)
Rural passages (passaġġi rurali)

The first three books in the series, being developed under the SIS 2026 project, will focus on rural passages, woodland, and garrigue and steppe habitats. These initial stories will introduce children to the importance of ecological corridors, native vegetation, and pollinators, while encouraging awareness of how everyday landscapes contribute to Malta’s wider environmental health.

This initiative forms part of the Katerina’s Storybooks Adventure project, supported by the Small Initiatives Support Scheme (SIS), managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS), and funded by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV). The project is coordinated by Abner Joe Buttigieg and Dylan Farrugia, founders and administrators of the Foundation.

Katerina, the project’s mascot, represents the Maltese Honey Bee, Malta’s national insect for children. She was first introduced through a trilogy of educational songs aimed at raising awareness of pollinators and biodiversity among younger audiences, which continue to support the Foundation’s wider educational outreach in schools.

An open illustrated book with a cartoon bee character on one of the pages, set against a blue sky with clouds.

This new series seeks to strengthen environmental awareness among primary school children while promoting literacy in Maltese. By combining storytelling with ecological education, the initiative aims to inspire the next generation to appreciate, respect, and actively protect Malta’s natural heritage for the future.

Disclaimer: This project has been funded by the Small Initiatives Support Scheme (SIS) managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) supported by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV). This project/ publication reflects the views only of the author, and the MCVS cannot be held responsible for the content or any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

A cartoon illustration of a smiling bee character with a round face, wearing a black and yellow striped outfit, and large eyes. The background features a honeycomb pattern, with the name 'Katerina' written in a playful font.

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