In this interview, Matteo Astone, author of The Little Girl Behind the Mirror, discusses the inspiration and creative process behind his evocative children’s book that weaves magical realism with profound themes of self-discovery, belonging, and emotional resilience. Matteo shares insights on how storytelling can foster empathy and help young readers confront difficult feelings such as exclusion and self-doubt with compassion and hope.

Matteo, thank you for joining us. Could you please introduce yourself in your own words—tell us about your background, what you do, and what you hope to achieve through your writing?

My name is Matteo Astone, and my passions weave together science, education, writing, volunteering, and even social circus. But perhaps it’s best if I start from the beginning.

I was born in Padua, Italy, and from an early age I was fascinated by two things: the wonder of experimental science and the power of storytelling. My academic path followed the scientific track all the way to a PhD in Biosciences and Biotechnology. For ten years I worked in biomedical research, both in Italy and in the United States, before transitioning to teaching math and science in middle school.

Yet I never stopped writing. I began as a child, crafting a story for my little sister who had just learned to read. As she grew up, I realized that my true literary calling was writing for children and young adults. Still, my stories aim to speak to adults as well—drawing on the enchantment of timeless places and a touch of magic to reach both hearts and minds.

What I hope most is that my novels will find their way to as many readers as possible. In the future, I dream of using literature not only to share messages of hope but also to become a real engine for change—supporting social projects around the world, much like the ones I’ve encountered as a volunteer.

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What inspired you to write The Little Girl Behind the Mirror and to focus on themes like identity, belonging, and emotional resilience?

I was a university student at the time, completely devoted to my studies. My academic results were excellent, and I was looking ahead to a clear, linear future as a scientist. Everything was organized, logical, predictable—but also self-centered.

It was during that period that I began asking myself what the deeper meaning of my life really was. Surely it couldn’t be only about excelling in my studies and focusing entirely on myself. That’s when I discovered the joy of volunteering—the transformative experience of giving a piece of our life to others, to something greater.

I traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo for two weeks, and later spent a year of social service in Georgia. Those encounters planted the first spark of light for this novel: the image of a young girl who doesn’t quite know who she is, facing a mysterious spring that questions her through her own reflections. It unsettles her certainties, pushes her to dig deeper, and ultimately reveals a truth that is larger and more beautiful than she could have imagined.

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Magical realism is a central element in your book. How did you decide to use this style to explore children’s emotional and social challenges?

I’ve always loved fantasy and magic. They create that special atmosphere that fascinates you, draws you in, and transports you to another world—yet at the same time, they reflect back something essential about ourselves, our world, and our lives.

In The Little Girl Behind the Mirror, magical realism allows me to take the reader by the hand through a fantastic tale, leading them into a small, timeless village—where a spring that speaks through reflections can exist, and indeed is the very soul of the community. Within this enchanted setting, young readers can approach profound themes with greater ease—connecting with their inner world of dreams, fears, and emotions.

Fantasy is the natural language of children, but I believe it can help adults just as much—perhaps even more—because they are the ones who most need to let themselves be carried away, like children do.

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Scarlett’s birthmark and her journey highlight feelings of being different and misunderstood. How do you think literature can help children who feel excluded or unsure of themselves?

I believe literature has a special power: it can speak of great truths in simple words, and it can reach the deepest corners of the heart. Since the beginning of humanity, telling and listening to stories has carried an intimate, profoundly human meaning.

More than through long explanations, children learn—and more importantly, they feel welcomed, understood, and comforted—when they see themselves in a character. As they share in that character’s emotions, fears, struggles, and triumphs, something resonates within them. And that resonance can leave a lasting, positive mark they carry with them into real life.

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Your story doesn’t have clear heroes or villains but rather complex, nuanced characters. How important was this approach for you in reflecting real-life social dynamics?

My novel is a fantastical story, imbued with subtle magic, yet at the same time it is exquisitely real—close to us, our deepest fears, and our most pressing questions. One of the story’s key messages, delivered by the quirkiest, most eccentric character in the book, is the importance of looking deeply into a person’s heart—of not stopping at first impressions—because everyone has something special to offer, sometimes even something they themselves have yet to discover.

So a “madman” is not just a fool, a king is not just a wealthy man, and a lonely little girl is not merely a poor gypsy. At the same time, there are no true villains, because often the things that hurt us come from perfectly “normal” people.

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Emotional intelligence and empathy are woven into your narrative. How do you see your book supporting parents and educators in discussing these topics with children?

My book is particularly suited not only for children to read on their own but also for sharing and discussing with adults—especially educators and parents. I’ve had countless visits to primary school classrooms, and the book is always warmly received by teachers. It’s perfect for recreating and exploring some of its most evocative scenes together.

For example, the protagonist reflecting on the spring’s mirror offers an extraordinary yet simple image, allowing difficult themes—like emotional intelligence, resilience, and the (re)discovery of oneself—to be approached naturally, through the magic of the story.

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Were there any personal experiences or observations that influenced the emotional themes and characters in the story?

The emotional themes in the story are ones I felt most deeply within myself—the desire to discover who I truly am and to find the preciousness in everyone, fostering a deeper and more hopeful outlook on life. I needed a story that spoke to me about exactly this.

Much of myself can also be found in the characters—their strengths, flaws, and desires: from the playful, childlike side of the village’s “madman,” to the wisdom of the old man, to the innocent, bewildered perspective of the protagonist.

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Writing for children aged 9–12 can be challenging, especially on delicate topics. What were some challenges you faced while writing this book?

The world of children and young adolescents has always resonated deeply with me. I love this age and enjoy being around it—through my experiences volunteering around the world and through my work as a teacher. Writing for them comes naturally to me.

That doesn’t mean it’s easy. Children don’t want simplified stories; they deserve stories that are rich, meaningful, and written for them—stories with language, rhythm, and imagination that can capture them, surround them, and take them on a journey.

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Have you received any feedback, awards, or milestones since publishing the book that have impacted your perspective as an author?

Although this book hasn’t received any official awards (even though it probably deserves some, haha!), it has consistently received passionate and enthusiastic feedback from teachers and young readers. Beyond that, more than one adult reader has personally thanked me for the positive impact the story had on their life—for the hope and strength it gave them.

There is nothing more beautiful for a writer than knowing that a work of fiction can have a real, meaningful impact on someone’s life and leave a lasting mark.

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Looking ahead, what messages or conversations do you hope The Little Girl Behind the Mirror will inspire in families and schools?

I hope it inspires the desire to always look beyond the mirror, to take one step further than where we usually stop. One step beyond dislikes, beyond shyness, beyond fears, beyond prejudice… We can never truly know what lies behind someone’s gloomy, sad, or distant gaze until we put aside our assumptions and try to understand them.

Perhaps we discover a friend closer to us than we ever imagined. And perhaps, along the way, we discover something new about ourselves as well.

A Review of “The Little Girl Behind the Mirror” by Matteo Astone