Trevor Zahra was born in 1947 in Zejtun, Malta. He has published more than 130 books. His first children's adventure, Il-Pulena tad-Deheb (The Golden Figurehead), was published in 1971. Since then he has published adventure stories, poetry for children, folk tales, workbooks, translations, novels, and short stories.
In 1974 his adult novel Taht il-Weraq tal-Palm (Under the Palm Trees) was awarded first prize in a national literary competition. He received the 1995 National Literary Prize for his fantasy novel Is-Seba' Trongiet Mewwija (The Seven Enchanted Citrusfruits). He has won fourteen National Book Prizes for his children’s books, adult fiction and illustrations. Zahra visits schools to speak to children, teachers, and parents about the importance of reading. He also conducts creative writing workshops. In 2004, in recognition of his literary career, particularly in children’s literature, he was awarded the Medal for Services to the Republic by the President of Malta.
