Are You an Ant? (Backyard Books Series) FROM THE PUBLISHER
Young fans of A Bug's Life will enjoy this inside look at the everyday life of these fascinating insects as they explore the similarities and differences in their own lives.
FROM THE CRITICS
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.
“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 - Erin McCall
Allen imparts information about insects by portraying the reader as an ant. By beginning the book with "Are You an Ant? If you are..." Allen grabs the child's attention and teaches scientific facts about ants. We learn that ants hatch from eggs. We learn that ants live underground, and love to eat honeydew. The book explores what life is like as an insect, but then takes the reader back to being a human child and show the differences between the two. The colored pencil and watercolor illustrations help support the text in educating the reader. The last page is filled with "Did you know?" facts about each insect that restate the educational facts that are so uniquely incorporated into this must-read children's book. 2002, Kingfisher Publications,
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.
Home
