Matti and Anty

Marco Mancini is a biologist, book-lover and storyteller with a passion for ants. From graduating with a Master’s in Old French to overseeing the Tropical House at Reykjavík Family Park and Zoo and graduating with another Master’s in Biology at the University of Iceland, Marco’s journey has taken him from literature to ecology.
He has been studying ants in Iceland since 2019 and has shared the wonders of the ant world in the media and the website “Maurar á Íslandi”. As the author of this beautifully illustrated children’s science book, Marco shares the wonders of the hidden kingdom of ants through his storytelling and expertise. With a focus on Iceland’s myrmecofauna, he invites young readers on an adventure of discovery, showcasing the beauty and complex social structures of these fascinating insects.

Laufey is a graphic designer, illustrator, and creative director. Her work spans a wide field, from advertising campaigns and packaging design to children’s illustrations and ant nest design. “Matti and Anty – The Hidden World of Icelandic Ants” is Laufey’s second children’s book. Her previous book, “Milli svefns og Vöku”, was nominated for the Reykjavík City Children’s Book Award for illustrations and received a recognition award from the Association of Icelandic Illustrators in the illustration series category.

Andreas became an ant enthusiast at a young age when he found and raised his own ant queen. This colony has stayed with him ever since, just like his passion for ants. After joining the Ant Team in 2020, Andreas has worked on both scientific research regarding the ecology of ants in Iceland, as well as on outreach and education for people of all ages. An important aspect of this work is the translation of various ant terminology into Icelandic, as any writing about ants in Icelandic has been virtually non-existent up until now. This is why he was also chosen to translate the first draft of this children’s book into Icelandic.

Caterina Poggi has dedicated her academic and professional journey to making a meaningful impact in the field of language education. During her undergraduate studies, Caterina made significant contributions as part of the research team for the Language Rich Europe – Trends in Policies and Practices on Multilingualism in Europe project. This experience laid the foundation for her commitment to exploring multilingual policies and practices, setting the stage for a career dedicated to linguistic diversity and education. In 2020, she succesfully completed her MA thesis in Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in Italy, showcasing a deep understanding of innovative pedagogical approaches. Since then, Caterina has been actively involved in teacher training, organizing presentations and workshops on CLIL methodology or contributing to enlightening sessions on Second Language Theories, Multilingualism and Pedagogies. As a member of the CLIL LOTE project team from 2020 to 2023, she actively participated in collaborative efforts to enhance language education methodologies. Her involvement in the Research Center for Language Acquisition (RÍM) as a board member since January 2024 further underscores her commitment to advancing language research and education. Caterina authored the online publication The Implementation of CLIL in the Icelandic Educational System and conducted a pilot study exploring the feasibility of implementing CLIL in Icelandic schools. She secured a grant for her project Beyond (linguistic) Borders: Unleashing the potential of CLIL in Icelandic learning contexts, organizing CLIL workshops to empower teachers. Caterina’s impactful work showcases her commitment to advancing language education and fostering linguistic diversity in educational settings. With a rich background in CLIL, multilingualism and education for democracy, Caterina Poggi continues to be a driving force in shaping the future of language education, bridging gaps and promoting linguistic diversity in academic environments.