I Saw an Ant on the Railroad Track (Hardcover)

~ (Author), (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–When Switchman Jack sees a black ant strolling down the railroad track in search of a snack, he tries to reroute a 10-ton freight train. However, the switch is stuck, and, just when readers start to worry that there will be an ant-astrophe, the tale takes a turn: that ant.../made a beeline for my brown lunch sack/as the train whooshed by, screaming.../CLICKETY-CLACK! The story builds effectively to a screeching crescendo, but some of the vocabulary, such as ruin to wrack, might stump children. The big, bold color caricatures have a timeless feel, in keeping with the text. Pamintuan uses changing perspectives to draw readers into the plight of the ant as it is confronted by the enormous smoking train. When the ambling insect spies Jack's sandwich on the ground, it gets a determined look in its eye. The folksy rhyme would be most effective as a read-aloud; in the hands of a talented storyteller, the conflict could take on enormous proportions.–Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 1. "Well, I saw an ant on the railroad track. / The rail was bright. / The ant was black. / He was walking along, tickety-tack." Speaking this sprightly rhyme is Switchman Jack, whose job it is to make sure that trains don't collide. But when he spots a tiny ant on the track, it is his job is to make sure "an eastbound ant" doesn't run into a "westbound train." There are also a few breath-holding moments as the ant keeps up his steady march toward the train. Then the switch gets stuck! But the ant is smarter than it looks and veers off the track--all the better to share lunch with Jack. Prince's text is rhythmically perfect, and it will be lots of fun to read aloud. Pamintuan's computer-enhanced artwork makes use of all sorts of interesting perspectives, some from the tiny ant's view, and some from tall Jack's. It's a bit disconcerting that Jack is appealingly drawn in a brawny, realistic manner, whereas the ant is more of a cartoon, but kids will have fun with this, and so will their parents. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (April 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402721838
• ISBN-13: 978-1402721830
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #262,746 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great New Book, May 14, 2006

By	Amy "a preschool mom" (stevensville,md usa) - See all my reviews

I chose this book to read aloud to my son's preschool class and they loved it! The writing is exciting and the pictures are wonderful. And if you care to look beyond the great writing/illustrations you can explore the bigger themes of empathy and the strong caring for the weak with your child. All and all a fun read for adults and kids that does not pander to either group. I hope to see alot more from this new author-it's a treat to read a children's book that is geared towards kids instead of their parents!(My mom is a 20 year veteran of the public library system in the children's department and agrees that this is a great read!)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read Aloud, May 24, 2007

By	Lisa Coker (Baytown, Tx USA) - See all my reviews

This is one of my faves for preschool storytime reading.

The rhymes are natural, the plot is gripping and the pictures are large and humorous.

If you read to groups of preschoolers - or are doing a unit on insects at your primary school - don't miss this one.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A charming, captivating book, September 1, 2006

By	Christine Triantos (Richmond, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"I Saw an Ant on the Railroad Track" is an expertly delivered little tale about a wandering ant in search of a snack and the concerned switchman who interrupts his lunch to try to save him from an oncoming train. The poem-- enthrallingly rythmic and vibrant-- would alone capture the attention of children (and their parents), but the dynamic, colorful illustrations infuse the story with even more drama and playful energy.