An Ant's Day Off - Hardcover

Becker, Bonny

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 068982274X ISBN 13: 9780689822742

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 2003

Synopsis

Bart, a curious ant, takes a day off from work, which is strictly forbidden, and embarks on a remarkable journey to discover the world around him, despite the fact that he might never be allowed to return.

About this title

About the Author:

Bonny Becker is the busy author of half a dozen children's books, including The Christmas Crocodile with Caldecott Medal winner David Small. Ms. Becker either never takes a day off or is always taking the day off, depending on what you think writers are doing when they stare into space. An Ant's Day Off is her second book with Simon & Schuster. She lives with her husband, two children, a dog, and a garden full of tireless ants in Seattle, Washington.

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-Grade 2-Bart the sand ant has spent his whole life moving mounds of sand from one tunnel to another in an underground nest. He and the other ants have never seen the sky or felt the rain. One day, Bart feels the outside world beckoning him, and he flees the nest without being noticed. He quickly finds out that the world is full of wonder and joy, and of danger, as he narrowly escapes becoming lunch for a frog and almost drowns in a rain puddle. Bart begins to regret his escapade and heads home. The entrance guard questions him but then reassures him that "sometimes an ant just needs to look at the sky" and looks the other way as Bart gets back to work. After listening all summer to his tales of the sun, rain, and bees, fellow sand ant Floyd decides to go exploring and Bart joins him. The richly colored illustrations of the outside world contrast sharply with the browns and tans of the nest. Deep green grass and bright yellow flowers are seen from an ant's perspective. The insects are dressed as people, complete with hard hats and safety glasses. The message-that it's good to take time for oneself-is not subtle or indirect. Purchase where books with a message are in demand.
Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 068982274X
• ISBN 13: 9780689822742
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Laden Nina