What do you get when a quiet, curious little boy meets a tiny, equally curious ant? A charming, unlikely friendship that blossoms into a magical adventure full of fun facts and heartfelt moments. Marco Mancini’s Matti and Anty: The Secret World of Icelandic Ants is a bilingual story, written in both English and Icelandic, that gently teaches kids about the fascinating lives of ants through the lens of an imaginative friendship. Matti, more into bugs than roughhousing, stumbles upon Anty, a two-legged, talking ant who watches kids from afar and is ready to share her world. As their secret bond grows, so does the reader’s knowledge of how ant colonies work, all thanks to this unique storytelling twist.

I found myself smiling through most of this book. The relationship between Matti and Anty is just so sweet and sincere. There’s no drama, no over-the-top silliness, just two very different little beings connecting through curiosity. When Matti learns that there are ants in Iceland, the story takes a fun, informative turn. Anty explains how their hive works and even shows him around. I loved that part. It made me think back to my own childhood, when the tiniest things felt like huge discoveries. The writing is warm and friendly, and the tone stays playful while sneaking in real science in a way that doesn’t feel like a lesson.

The side-by-side translation is such a cool feature. I don’t speak Icelandic, but I loved seeing both languages on the page. It adds this extra layer of cultural richness that you don’t often get in children’s books. And the illustrations are gorgeous. Laufey Jonsdottir has such a gentle, expressive style. You can feel the emotion in Anty’s tiny face and the awe in Matti’s wide eyes. The visuals really help bring their little world to life. There’s one image of Matti peeking into the grass where Anty stands waving, it’s so tender and curious, it stuck with me.

This book also hits that sweet spot where education and storytelling meet. I came for a cute kids’ book, but I ended up looking up Iceland’s insect history afterward. Who knew ants in Iceland were so rare? That’s what I love about stories like this, they open doors to more questions, more learning. It’s not just about bugs; it’s about noticing the little things around us, respecting nature, and nurturing curiosity.

If you’ve got a child who loves nature, bugs, or just a good heartwarming story, Matti and Anty is a perfect pick. Great for reading together at bedtime or even for early school science units. It’s simple, sweet, and full of wonder. It left me wishing I had an Anty of my own when I was a kid.

Pages: 45 | ISBN : 978 9935 542 36 6