The Ministry for Education, Sports, Youth, Research and Innovation, through the National Literacy Agency, is implementing the “Books Are Children’s Friends” initiative during the 2025–2026 scholastic year.
This initiative is intended for all primary school students and in this cycle, books are being distributed that are adapted to the age of first-year students. Each child is receiving books in both Maltese and English, to support them in their first steps in reading and bilingualism, and to begin or continue building their personal library.
During a visit to the Archbishop’s Seminary, in Tal-Virtù’, Rabat, at the Primary Library, Minister for Education Clifton Grima distributed books to students, as part of this initiative. After distributing the books, Minister Grima also toured some of the first year classes.
Minister Grima, together with Reading Ambassadors Carlos Farrugia, Ruth Frendo, Saviour Darmanin and Joe Grech, read excerpts with the children to awaken their enthusiasm for stories and tales, thus creating an atmosphere of fun learning through reading. “With this initiative we are hitting several targets. We are fostering a love of reading, helping our children build a library in their homes and also showing them how reading opens up new horizons that are valuable for their future,” said Minister Grima.
This initiative is intended for all primary school students and in this cycle, books adapted to the age of first-year students are being distributed. Each child is receiving books in both Maltese and English, in order to be supported in their first steps in reading and bilingualism, and to begin or continue building their personal library. Since this initiative was launched in December 2023, with a commitment announced in the Electoral Manifesto, the initiative has continued to grow and extend its reach.
To date, more than 27,000 children attending state, Church and independent schools from first to sixth grade have benefited from this scheme, with more than 108,000 books distributed throughout the country. This ongoing investment strengthens the essential role of literacy in children’s educational journey. During the 2025–2026 scholastic year, the Children’s Friends Books initiative will continue to reach first-year students across Malta and Gozo, in an effort to ensure that children have access to quality reading materials that foster curiosity, imagination and a lasting appreciation for books.
