An Ant's Day Off [Hardcover]

Bonny Becker (Author), Nina Laden (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2003

"Never stop. Never tarry.
An ant who wastes time
will never marry!"

Bart the sand ant has heard these words for as long as he can remember. Never in the history of antdom has an ant taken a day off.

Still, Bart can't help but wonder what it might be like to see what goes on out there in the big, wide world.

"They'll never let you back in!" warns his best friend, Floyd, about leaving the nest. But Bart leaves his mounds of work behind, and discovers just how important it is for an ant to find some time for himself every now and then.

Bonny Becker has written the perfect story for our hectic, overscheduled lives. Nina Laden's illustrations bring the bustling insect world to life with humor and verve.

Editorial Reviews

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 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.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers; 1 edition (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068982274X
• ISBN-13: 978-0689822742
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,826,397 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Moral of the story: How to break the rules and get away with it., March 1, 2007

By 

Mom, homeschooler, small business owner (Arlington, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Ant's Day Off (Hardcover)

This book starts off well and you feel sorry for the ant. It seems he is going to escape oppression. However, his character is not very admirable when he finds it is dangerous outside the hill and decides he wants to go back. The only good moral value taught is when he considers lying to get back in the hill, but tells the truth. Even this is tarnished though, when his telling the truth gains him sympathy from the policeman guard and information on how to get away with it next time! When he returns he corrupts his friend to "take a day off" too. The only reason I can give it one star is that you could use this book to discuss what NOT to do!

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even Ant's need a Break!, July 28, 2006

By 

Shania Hence "www.altimatepublishing.com" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: An Ant's Day Off (Hardcover)

Bart is a little different than most ants. He decides one day to take the day off. Why, never in antdom history has this happened! His friend, Floyd, tries to convince him not to, but still he persists. Things are bitter sweet outside the ant hill. He has loads of adventures, such as almost getting eaten by a singing frog and flying with a pollen covered bee. Find out if he can ever return to the ant hill and a few things Bart learned along the way.