Fearless: The Story of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Defender of Free Speech

by Gattaldo

For budding young activists, the true story of an intrepid Maltese woman who followed her calling to be an investigative journalist—and refused to back down.

As a little girl, Daphne wanted to be a writer, to be brave and use words and pictures to share important stories about her country, Malta. Growing up, she always had her nose in books, which she said taught her never to let other people think for her. As she got older, when she saw bad things happening in her country, she believed she could change people’s lives through peaceful protest. She would ultimately follow her dream by working for a national newspaper, becoming an influential and courageous political journalist who took on criminals the only way she knew how—through her writing. In the end, despite increasingly dangerous—and ultimately fatal—efforts by her adversaries to silence her, Daphne made a difference and was an inspiration to all who believe in freedom of speech and the power of the press. In this compelling picture book, followed by a biographical note, debut author-illustrator Gattaldo explores the life and legacy of Daphne Caruana Galizia, a fearless advocate for truth and justice.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, History, Biography Memoir, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 14, 2021

About the author

Award-winning Creative Director and illustrator Gattaldo studied art in Florence and now lives and works in London. His first children’s book about a courageous journalist is based on the life story of a close friend.

Author’s website - www.gattaldo.com
Book website - www.fearlessdaphne.com

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free speech is a right cherished by those of us who live in a democracy, and most supporters of this right would agree that a free and independent press is important in assuring that citizens have the whole story on various topics. In this picture book, young readers learn about investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and her efforts to write stories that told the truth about political corruption in her home country of Malta. Not only was she arrested, threatened, and eventually killed by a car bomb, but those who were threatened by her journalism killed three of her dogs and froze her bank account. The mixed media illustrations highlight important parts of her life and along with the simple text will make readers wonder about her determination and courage and those who wanted to silence her. Additional information about Galizia and a note from the author offer some insight into this brave woman who truly was fearless, no matter the cost. I finished the book wanting to know more about her and her causes and whether anyone was tried for her death. This picture book raises more questions than it answers, but it may serve as inspiration for others with a similar penchant toward uncovering the truth about the misuse of power.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An admiring and inspiring but incomplete picture book biography of couragous Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and her dogged efforts to expose political corruption in her home country for which she was arrested threatened, terrorized, and finally aasassinated by a car bomb.

[Graywaren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book with decent illustrations. I enjoyed finding out about Daphne. That said I really wish there was some additional detail, it felt a bit too sparse, more like a bullet point list of her life and I wish it’d focused on more specifics about her work.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.