Are You an Ant?

Publishers Weekly

Two additions to the Backyard Books series by Judy Allen, illus. by Tudor Humphries, let readers experience a day in the life of common creatures. Are You an Ant? puts the eponymous picnic-invaders under the microscope; Are You a Grasshopper? takes a similar close-up view of its subject. Humphries's illustrations capture even the tiniest details. (Apr.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

From The Critics

“Easy readers that offer a virtual bug’s- eye view of the world. Vivid water color paintings on two-page spreads depict the subject insect...the lines of text are fluid...clearly written and well-organized..these attractive titles will be good companion volumes.”

Children's Literature

The author and illustrator unite to give young children an ant's perspective of the world, Energetic illustrations, a second person viewpoint and bouncy writing add texture to this informational book. The author is full of helpful recommendations and descriptions. She begins with "you" in the egg. "Hatch out of the egg as soon as you can. You don't look like an ant yet. You're a larva, and you're hungry." The book goes on to traces the ant's life with facts made memorable by the whimsical voice. Springtail bugs are delicious, the author tells readers, "but hard to catch because they jump" so she advises, "look for bugs that have been stepped on. They're easy." The book ends with amusing comparisons to humans ("No bird is ever, ever, EVER going to pick you up in its beak and stuff you under its wing."). The last two pages offer lots more general ant information for those who want more entertaining facts and statistics. 2002, Kingfisher, Ages 3 to 6.
—Susie Wilde

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3-Easy-readers that offer a virtual bug's-eye view of the world. Vivid watercolor paintings on two-page spreads depict the subject insect in its backyard habitat; most views are close-ups, with the creature juxtaposed against towering leaves of grass, weeds, flowers, etc. (Several illustrations in Ant show the worker in its underground nest.) Short sentences in large, bold type are set against a white background. The lines of text are fluid, often broken up and framed by foliage, or sometimes wings of birds and body parts of other small animals. Each book begins by asking the title question, and then addresses readers directly, outlining the insect's daily experiences (e.g., "Work hard to build a nest.-It's all right; you don't have to work alone"). The books briefly describe hatching, growth and development, outstanding physical and behavioral characteristics, diet, defense mechanisms, and natural enemies, and conclude with a reality check: "However, if your mother and father look like this-you are not a-.You are-a human child." An addendum offers miscellaneous facts. Although the texts are clearly written and well organized, not all of the terms are defined, such as "aphid," "acid," and "poison" in Ant. Still, these attractive titles will be good companion volumes for Steve Parker's It's an Ant's Life (Reader's Digest, 1999) and Amanda Harman's Grasshoppers (Grolier, 2001), both of which are more detailed and aimed at a somewhat higher reading level.-Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.