FICTION

One Mean Ant

by Arthur Yorinks (text) & illus. by Sergio Ruzzier
Candlewick. Feb. 2020. 48p. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780763683948.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2–A hot-headed ant and a lovable fly are lost together in the middle of the desert. The ant, being extremely sour and rude, wants nothing to do with the fly, who has, well, the attention span of a fly. After the fly removes an actual thorn in the ant’s side, he then offers to fly them out of the desert. A surpising, yet open-ended ending may either delight or startle readers. The use of humor, visual gags, and idioms will go over many children’s heads but may charm adults. The mean ant is in fact very mean; however, the lesson showing kids that being mean doesn’t pay isn’t straightforward.
VERDICT An additional purchase–despite the picture book format, the tale is more suited to beginning readers.
Reviewed by Shana Shea, Windsor Public Library, CT , Mar 13, 2020

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BOOKS

Maddie and Mabel Ready for Snow
by Allen, Kari
BOOKS

Welcome to the Woofmore
by Gephart, Donna & Lori Haskins Houran
BOOKS

Eleven Houses
by Oakes, Colleen
BOOKS

Don’t Let the Forest In
by Drews, CG
BOOKS

Summer Nights and Meteorites
by Reynolds, Hannah
BOOKS

A Vile Season
by Ferraro, David
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?