Deaf Hero Klara Stars in New Maltese Children's Book

A 36-page children's book starring a deaf girl named Klara has arrived in Malta, and it puts deaf representation at the centre of local literature for young readers. Ġurnata l-Baħar (A Day at the Beach), written by first-time author Annabelle Xerri, is aimed at children aged six to ten.

The story follows Klara and her siblings through a typical Maltese summer day — swimming, playing and making friends, with a small misunderstanding over ice cream along the way. Readers gradually discover that Klara is deaf. The book deliberately keeps her deafness out of the spotlight; she's an ordinary child having everyday adventures.

Why this book matters for deaf children

Xerri, who has been deaf since childhood, calls the project deeply personal. "My love for books started when I was young. Reading helped feed my curiosity for information that I was missing out on in the hearing world," she said. "I would have loved to read more books which had deaf characters, who reflected my own lived experience."

She wrote the book to fill a gap: deaf characters remain largely underrepresented in Maltese children's literature. She hopes Klara will serve as a relatable role model for deaf children while showing hearing children that communication barriers can often be overcome through simple awareness and understanding.

"I wanted to write stories where a deaf child is, first and foremost, just a kid, playing at the beach, enjoying summer, and making friends like any other child," Xerri said.

How the book teaches beyond the story

Ġurnata l-Baħar doesn't stop at storytelling. At the back, young readers find facts about deaf people and deaf culture, plus a link to short YouTube videos demonstrating key words from the story in Maltese Sign Language (LSM, the country's official sign language community's language).

The project began taking shape more than a year ago. Xerri worked closely with writer and editor Leanne Ellul and Maltese-language specialist Nicole Bartolo, who also has a background in Maltese Sign Language. Illustrator Naomi Gatt then brought Klara's seaside adventure to life, with particular attention paid to making the visual details reflect the book's message.

What does this change for Maltese publishing?

Published by Klabb Kotba Maltin, the book was supported by l-Għaqda tal-Malti — Università, with sponsorship from APS Bank. It signals institutional backing for inclusive children's literature in Maltese, a small market where such titles are rare.

Xerri brings advocacy weight to the project. She chairs the Maltese Sign Language Council and serves as President of the Deaf People Association Malta. Through writing and advocacy, she aims to show that deaf children can see themselves in the same everyday adventures their hearing peers enjoy.

Ġurnata l-Baħar is available at the Għaqda tal-Malti — Università and Klabb Kotba Maltin stands at the Malta Book Festival, and online through Midsea Books. With its familiar seaside setting, it makes one thing clear: friendships can flourish when everyone makes an effort to communicate.