Ant Party

PreS-Gr 3–A surprising story that uses as inspiration the division of labor in an ant colony, the ever-present possibility of miscommunication, the energy generated by a party, and the tremendous power of a group. It is Andy’s birthday, and he’d like to have a small party with “dancing and dips” in his underground home. He begins by inviting his neighbors, but soon they invite the farmer ants (they’ll bring food), who invite the worker ants (they work so hard), who are overheard by the soldier ants who tell the queen (she loves a party), who invites other ant colonies. “Soon, thousands of ants were pouring toward Andy’s door, ready to rave their socks off.” When an anteater literally crashes the party, Andy is furious. Without taking time to be afraid, he yells at the other ants to form a conga line. The anteater is carried off by the ants and dumped into a nearby river, giving Andy his desired “dancing and dips” and making him a hero. Detailed, colorful illustrations add energy and joy to the story, showing hundreds of ants and the spaces they live, work, and relax in. The individualized ant faces are personalized with different eyebrows, eyelashes, facial hair, and head decorations; the sunflower seed helmets of the soldier ants are particularly charming.