The Grasshopper & the Ants

Don't be put off by other reviews. This IS a beautiful book, by a Caldecott award sinning artist, but know what you are purchasing. First, this book is mostly in the format of a WORDLESS PICTURE BOOK. There ARE words, but the story is primarily communicated through the illustrations. If you don't know how to "read" a wordless picture book with your child, I recommend opening the book and WAITING for your child to comment on something or point to something (that is your child's conversational "turn"). Once they do that, you will have some understanding of what your child is interested in or comprehends. Briefly respond and WAIT. If your child says more, respond. If they don't, ask "What do you notice? What do you think is happening?" Then, comment in a way that helps the child comprehend the story. This story is fairly simple: The illustrations show the ants and the grasshopper in summer, spring, and fall. The ants are busy working; the grasshopper is playing (fishing, picnicing, making music, playing in the leaves). So. if I was reading this with a child I would comment on "What season do you think it is? What are the ants doing? What is the grasshopper doing? How are they different?" Finally, Winter comes. I would observe that all the insects that were on the prior pages (ladybugs, monarch butterflies, ants) are gone. The grasshopper is cold (shivering), lonely, and hasn't built a shelter or saved any food. I comment on this and say "the grasshopper has a problem; what do you think he should do?" Children with good logical reasoning and background knowledge might suggest hibernating (like ladybugs) or migrating (like Monarchs). The grasshopper asks the ants for help. I would stop here and ask the child "What do you think the ants should do? How would they decide?" Then, I would read the ending, in which the ants help the grasshopper. I would explain that "This story is a fable; it teaches a lesson- what lesson do you think it was trying to teach? What did the grasshopper need to learn?" Finally, I would ask "The ants helped him this time; do think he will make a different choice next time, or expect the ants to welcome him again?" If you look at the rear pastedown page, it shows the next Summer. The Grasshopper is helping the ants collect food." Wordless picture books allow you to look at the illustrations and have a conversation with your child. This is an opportunity to be a responsive reading partner, to have a lot of "serve and return" conversational interactions with your child, and to improve their vocabulary (you can name all the instruments the grasshopper is playing) and comprehension. I am a teacher- they are great. Second, this story does have a different ending than the traditional Aesop ending (in which the ants appear to rebuff the grasshopper). If that isn't what you want, buy the Milo Winter Aesop book instead- or read both and discuss the differences with your child.

Beautiful illustrations by the artist Jerry Pinckney and scant words make this a book to linger over with your favorite young one. The more you look the more you see on every page. Every discovery leads to conversation.

When I was a child, I had read a book similar to this one and I am wondering if this particular book was written by the same author. When I had read the book, my father had asked me how I felt that the hard-working ants had to support the player grasshopper. As an adult I understand my father very well. The grasshoppers of the world need to step it up.

I love this artist, but I was disappointed to find there's not much of a story to read. Some if his books don't have much to read, and others do. Some of his books are written by another author and I think I like those better.

Jerry Pinckney lives on in perfection with his drawings and perception of the place, person, time. Such a fine way to begin with books like these in a child’s life.

Such a wonderfully colorful book that updates the old tale of the grasshopper & the ants. When I go to the library to borrow books, I am always looking for books that would appeal to each of my different grandchildren's personalities. This beautiful book is for an incredibly picky grand daughter who just loved the book. When I find the perfect book, I always turn to Amazon, locate the book, add it to my wish list & purchase it when I have the funds. The books are always delivered quickly & are in perfect condition. I add a customized label & then give it to the little kiddo with a flourish of kisses to add to their expanding library! Thanks Amazon for being part of this Grandmother's book gifting tradition!!

This book was purchased to go with a collection from Charlie Bears. I love the pictures, very colorful, not many words but the pictures say it all. It was well worth buying.

Beautifully illustrated You might have to refresh your memory of the story because there are few words But that makes the sharing the best

I dislike when classic children's stories are changed. Especially, when the moral of the story is altered. This book does that. Also, there are few words. A lot of pictures but limited text. Seems like a "dumbed down" version of a beloved classic.