Synopsis
Beetle McGrady dreams of being an explorer like Marco Polo or a pioneer like Amelia Earhart. She dreams of being brave and daring, and she will begin by ... eating an ant.
It's dare double dare on the school playground, but will Beetle be able to live up to her dreams? Face to face — or Beetle to ant — will she be able to
bite and chew and ...
swallow?
Gulp!
If she does, what will the ant taste like? If she does, will the ant be crunchy or squishy? And if she can't, does that mean she's a chicken?
Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz - Children's Literature
During Fun with Food Week in science class, Beetle McGrady, who wants to be an adventurous pioneer, declares she will eat an ant. But then, somehow, it does not seem like such a good idea. She tries to practice, with humorous results, but she just can't. She tries many new foods during Fun with Food Week, but she still can't face eating an ant. She is disappointed in herself. On Friday, however, when Chef Suzanne brings an assortment of cooked bugs from many lands, brave Beetle finally shows her grossed-out classmates what a bold explorer she can be. "Today, ants. Tomorrow...ANTarctica!" Watercolors create a realistic child's world, and a kid filled with spunky curiosity and daring energy. The comic characters are appropriately cartoon-y; a close-up of Beetle shows her tongue out, an ant sitting on it, but her expression shows that she just isn't ready yet. Chef Suzanne's plate of toasted crickets look delicious enough to change Beetle's mind. Don't miss "Beetle's tips for eating Bugs" on the end-papers. 2005, Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins, Ages 4 to 8.