Ant Cities

Did you know that ants have jobs? Ants may not look like they are doing anything important, but each ant that lives in a hill has a special job, whether it is cleaning the nest, digging new tunnels or gathering food. And in each ant city there is a queen ant who is busy laying eggs.

In this popular Stage 2 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science book, Arthur Dorros explores the fascinating and complex ways in which these industrious insects work together to keep their ant cities alive.

A Reading Rainbow Selection Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 1987 (NSTA/CBC)

Explains how ants live and work together to build and maintain their cities.

Did you know that ants have jobs? Ants may not look like they are doing anything important, but each ant that lives in a hill has a special job, whether it is cleaning the nest, digging new tunnels or gathering food. And in each ant city there is a queen ant who is busy laying eggs.

In this popular Stage 2 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science book, Arthur Dorros explores the fascinating and complex ways in which these industrious insects work together to keep their ant cities alive.

A Reading Rainbow Selection Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 1987 (NSTA/CBC)

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3 Dorros introduces ant communities by examining the harvester ant. The book includes information on the organization of the ant community, the specialization of ant roles within the community, and some of the physical characteristics of ant life. The pages on the harvester ant are followed by brief descriptions of several different types of ants, all chosen to catch a child's interest. The book ends with instructions for making a simple ant farm. The material is presented in simple language and large print. The illustrations, which are cartoon - like, colorful, and amusing, make the text more comprehensible and add interest to the book. One problem is that some terms, like larvae and pupae, are never defined, and there are limited contextual clues to their meaning. Still, this is an adequate introduction to a subject that fascinates the bug-minded, and it will be a useful addition to the science section. Ellen Loughran, Brooklyn Public Library

Arthur Dorros is a real-life papÁ. He learned Spanish while living in Latin America and helped teach his son, Alex, the language. One of Alex's first words was "agua," and Arthur called him "Agua Man."

Arthur Dorros is the author of many books for children, including JULIO'S Magic, a CLASP AmÉricas Award Commended Title, and the popular Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science book Ant Cities. He lives in Seattle, Washington.