The Ant and the Elephant (Paperback)

by Bill Peet (Author) "One morning a tiny ant crawled up a tall blade of jungle grass for a view of the river..." (more)

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"Witty, original, with divine animal characters." -- Review

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"Witty, original, with divine animal characters." Publishers Weekly

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Product Details Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 48 pages Publisher: Sandpiper (February 19, 1980) Language: English ISBN-10: 0395292050 ISBN-13: 978-0395292051 Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #145,585 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #19 in  Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( P ) > Peet, Bill

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One morning a tiny ant crawled up a tall blade of jungle grass for a view of the river. Read the first page

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Citations (learn more)

11 books cite this book:

• Using Stories to Make Art: Creative Activities Using Children's Literature by Wendy M.L Libby on page 43, and Back Matter
• Life Sciences: Curriculum Resources and Activities for School Librarians and Teachers by Amy Bain on page 11, and page 128
• Reading Learning Centers for Primary Grades: Monthly Theme Units, Activities, and Games (Jossey-Bass Teacher) by Shirleen S. Wait Ph.D. on page 39
• Literature for Lively Lessons by Sheila Edwards on page 14
• Read a Book-make a Book (How to Make Books With Children) by Jill Norris on page 41

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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews 5 star:  (6) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.6 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 19 of 20 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Timeless and Touching, January 3, 2000 By A Customer This review is from: The Ant and the Elephant (Hardcover) In this remarkably readable book, Bill Peet captures such an important lesson of life through his straight-forward writing style and exceptional artwork. The story suggests that while one's physical size might not matter all that much, perhaps the size of one's heart does. And you can never be too small to help someone else. This is certainly a wonderful lesson for children of all ages- toddler or adult. This is the second book in what I hope to be a full shelf of Bill Peet books in my home one day. I encourage you to read it. 10 of 11 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The best book ever....., June 5, 1998 By A Customer My mother read this book to us all the time....it is a wonderful story with a great moral. I am a substitute also and I read it all the time! Students from kindergarten through fourth grade sit entranced while I read. This book is my favorite story of all time! 12 of 14 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars Nice attempt at a lesson, but too many "stupids" for my taste, March 10, 2006 By  ArtCat (NY City) - See all my reviews This is the story of an elephant who travels the forest doing good deeds for the grumpiest, most ungrateful group of animals imagineable. Eventually the elephant needs help and it is the tiny ant (the only creature with integrity besides the elephant) and his ant friends who come to his aid. So the "little things and small creatures mean a lot" theme is nicely presented. Possibly the point of the other arrogant animals is to show that the elephant helps out regardless of the thanklessness of the jobs and maintains his own good attitude throughout (a very evolved elephant). This book was published in 1972 which explains why the word "stupid" appears four times, as well as the phrase "Dad blame it" (which can sound like "god damn it" to little ears who have heard it said in anger already). Years ago, editors weren't always as careful as they are today. I admit I am a bit puritanical about this but I personally would rather not hear "stupid" out of a 5yr old's mouth; children's literature should model the richness and beauty of the language. While this book does contain many great vocabulary words, I would have liked a version with some creative substitutions [maybe there is an updated version; just be aware if you get this version what is here]. If I read this book in class or at home I will "edit" a bit as I go. I like the intended meanings, but I won't be uttering "stupid" in front of bunches of kids anytime soon.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars By far one of my favorite kids books! I won't rehash the stories below other than to say that all the animals with attitude mirror many of the people you meet in life -- the self-important, the vain, the... Read more Published on September 13, 2006 by D. Kolton 5.0 out of 5 stars great this was an amazing story my children both love and it has become our favourite bedtime story... Published on February 18, 2006 by M. Jaffar 5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Moral for Kids The creatures in the jungle are having a bad day. One after another, they are facing problems that they can't get out of. Then the elephant comes along and helps them all. Read more Published on January 9, 2005 by Mark Baker 5.0 out of 5 stars Great book! For adults, too. I bought this book many years ago. Liked it so much, and so did my 2 sons, that I bought 2 more. When I began substitute teaching, I would grab one of his books. Read more Published on March 21, 1998 5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story with a moral! I read this book when I was young. Recently, I bought it for my son. The moral holds true. The illustations are WONDERFUL! Published on October 6, 1997 Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Complete Books of Bill Peet in Paperback: A list by HM Editor   My Favorite Books When I was Little!: A list by Charlotte Kendall   Best Books and DVD's for Babies & Toddlers: A list by S. Simpson "i speak film" Create a Listmania! list

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (February 19, 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395292050
• ISBN-13: 978-0395292051
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #145,585 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #19 in

  Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( P ) > Peet, Bill

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Timeless and Touching, January 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ant and the Elephant (Hardcover)

In this remarkably readable book, Bill Peet captures such an important lesson of life through his straight-forward writing style and exceptional artwork. The story suggests that while one's physical size might not matter all that much, perhaps the size of one's heart does. And you can never be too small to help someone else. This is certainly a wonderful lesson for children of all ages- toddler or adult. This is the second book in what I hope to be a full shelf of Bill Peet books in my home one day. I encourage you to read it.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book ever....., June 5, 1998

By A Customer

My mother read this book to us all the time....it is a wonderful story with a great moral. I am a substitute also and I read it all the time! Students from kindergarten through fourth grade sit entranced while I read. This book is my favorite story of all time!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice attempt at a lesson, but too many "stupids" for my taste, March 10, 2006

By	ArtCat (NY City) - See all my reviews

This is the story of an elephant who travels the forest doing good deeds for the grumpiest, most ungrateful group of animals imagineable. Eventually the elephant needs help and it is the tiny ant (the only creature with integrity besides the elephant) and his ant friends who come to his aid. So the "little things and small creatures mean a lot" theme is nicely presented. Possibly the point of the other arrogant animals is to show that the elephant helps out regardless of the thanklessness of the jobs and maintains his own good attitude throughout (a very evolved elephant).

This book was published in 1972 which explains why the word "stupid" appears four times, as well as the phrase "Dad blame it" (which can sound like "god damn it" to little ears who have heard it said in anger already). Years ago, editors weren't always as careful as they are today. I admit I am a bit puritanical about this but I personally would rather not hear "stupid" out of a 5yr old's mouth; children's literature should model the richness and beauty of the language. While this book does contain many great vocabulary words, I would have liked a version with some creative substitutions [maybe there is an updated version; just be aware if you get this version what is here].

If I read this book in class or at home I will "edit" a bit as I go. I like the intended meanings, but I won't be uttering "stupid" in front of bunches of kids anytime soon.