“Qalb l-Arbuxelli”: Katerina’s Third Adventure Highlights Garrigue Conservation

The Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee announces Qalb l-Arbuxelli (Among the Shrubs), the third story in the Katerina fl-Abitati Maltin series. This new adventure focuses on Malta’s garrigue habitat (ix-xagħri) and the importance of protecting the wild plants on which bees and other wildlife depend.

Written by renowned Maltese children’s authors Clare Azzopardi and Leanne Ellul, with illustrations by Samuel Casha, the book will introduce young readers to the consequences of careless activity in natural areas and the difference that awareness and community involvement can make.

Garrigue is characterised by low-growing shrubs and wild flowers among rocky ground. Although these landscapes may appear empty or barren at first glance, they support a rich variety of plants and animals. Mediterranean thyme, for example, provides an important food source for the Maltese Honey Bee. Protecting this habitat therefore also means protecting the resources that sustain its wildlife.

In the story, Katerina returns to a favourite patch of garrigue, looking forward to visiting the flowering shrubs she loves. Her excitement turns to distress when she sees a group of young people riding over the rocks and damaging the vegetation. An area that once provided her with food is left badly disturbed, showing how recreation can harm a habitat when its ecological value is overlooked.

Determined to find help, Katerina approaches a group of Scouts who regularly visit the area and care about its surroundings. A young Scout follows her to the damaged patch and understands why she is upset. Together, the children put up signs and speak to visitors, explaining that the garrigue is a natural habitat for wild flowers and bees. When the riders return, they recognise the harm they have caused and share what they have learnt with their friends.

Through this encounter, Qalb l-Arbuxelli encourages readers to recognise the life supported by places that may otherwise be dismissed as unused land. It also highlights the importance of enjoying the countryside responsibly, with care for the plants and animals that live there.

The Scouts play an active role in the story’s resolution. By listening, observing and sharing their knowledge, they show how children can contribute to conservation. Katerina’s decision to seek help also brings a message of cooperation: caring for nature becomes more effective when people work together.

Following the adventures set among rural passages and woodland, this third story continues Katerina’s journey through Malta’s natural habitats. Each book connects the conservation of the endemic Maltese Honey Bee with the protection of the wider environment that supports it.

The project is being coordinated by Abner Joe Buttigieg and Dylan Farrugia on behalf of the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee, who also serve as editors of the book series.

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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