The Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee is delighted to announce the completion of Il-Fjuri Qarrieqa (The Deceiving Flowers), the first book in the eight-book series Katerina fl-Abitati Maltin (Katerina in the Maltese Habitats), part of Katerina’s Storybooks Adventure.
The book is being released today, 24 September 2026, to commemorate the second anniversary of the Maltese Honey Bee becoming the National Insect of Malta.
Written by renowned children’s authors Clare Azzopardi and Leanne Ellul, with illustrations by Samuel Casha, this Maltese-language story introduces primary school pupils to important environmental issues through the adventures of Katerina, the Maltese honey bee.
Set among Malta’s rural passages in late March, the story follows Katerina as she searches for wild flowers on which to feed. However, much of the surrounding vegetation has been cut or destroyed. When she notices a colourful flowerbed, she initially believes that she has finally found the nourishment she needs. Yet the air is polluted by passing traffic, while the cultivated flowers have little or no scent or nectar. Despite their attractive appearance, they cannot provide Katerina with food, making them truly ‘deceiving flowers’.
Through an engaging and age-appropriate story, the book introduces young readers to habitat loss, the removal of wild vegetation, air pollution and the limited value that certain ornamental flowers may have for pollinators. It also highlights the importance of protecting wild plants and ensuring that bees and other pollinating insects can find suitable sources of nectar and pollen.
The story encourages children to look beyond the appearance of a flower and understand its role within the wider ecosystem. By presenting environmental challenges through storytelling, colourful illustrations and a relatable character, the book seeks to nurture respect for nature from an early age. Children are the conservationists and decision-makers of the future, and raising awareness among them allows environmental problems to be addressed at their roots.
The completion of the book represents an important milestone for the Foundation and marks the beginning of Katerina’s journey through Malta’s different natural habitats. Each adventure will help children discover the biodiversity found around them while learning about the challenges faced by the endemic Maltese honey bee and other local wildlife.
As part of the SIS project, the first edition of this story will consist of 250 copies. These copies will be distributed free of charge to pupils in primary schools and will not be offered for sale.
A separate second edition will be produced following the formal closure of the SIS project. This edition will be made available for sale, allowing families, educators and members of the public to obtain their own copy of Katerina’s first storybook adventure.
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 being coordinated by Abner Joe Buttigieg and Dylan Farrugia, founders and administrators of the Foundation, who also serve as editors of the book series.
With the completion of the first book, Katerina’s storybook adventures have officially taken flight.
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.
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