Little Brother: The Story of Nanni and Marco

Mario longs for a little brother: someone to play with, to quarrel with, someone he can teach all the tricks he has learnt, like spitting meat into a napkin without being told off, and beating in swimming races, but also standing up for if anyone ever tries to steal his snack. But it’s a wish that proves hard to fulfil. His dad has tried to explain that he and Mario’s mum want another child too, but that he just hasn’t come. Mario can’t understand why. Why wouldn’t a little brother come, knowing that Mario is already there waiting for him? While they wait, a new member joins the family anyway: a clumsy puppy called Nanni, who soon becomes Mario’s partner in every adventure. Rosella Postorino, a winner of the Campiello Prize and now a finalist for the Campiello Junior, gives us a tender and moving story about the complexities of family relationships. Through Nanni and Mario, she explores jealousy, the fear of losing a parent’s love, and the slow, fragile building of a new bond. A simple, engaging tale that can win over any reader, whether adult or child.

Reading age: 7-11 years

Un fratellino. Storia di Nanni e Marco
Rosella Postorino; illustrations by Francesco Tassinari
Mondadori, 2025