Wednesday, May 20, 2015

The Grasshopper and the Ants; Jim Pinkney






Little Brown for Young Readers - 2015

Jim Pinkney's, The Grasshopper and the Ants, is a slightly more pleasant version of the Aesop story.  In this story Grasshopper is happy it's spring and all ready to make merry music. He tells the ants that they are working much to hard and should be out having fun, making music, fishing and enjoying the weather. The busy worker ants opt not to play and continue with their hard work. As the seasons change and Grasshopper continues to play in leaves and make music.  Before long snow has fallen and Grasshopper finds himself outdoors wet and freezing after making a snowangel. 

As Grasshopper peers into the Ants home he sees that it looks all cozy and warm and there's even food on the table, while Grasshopper is outside cold and hungry. While some of the Ants are knitting near a cozy fire, Grasshopper is initially turned away, but eventually, the good hearted Queen Ant invites him in for hot tea and cookies. Together ALL the critters make music together and enjoy the warmth.

Clearly, it is the gorgeous, full-color, detailed drawings that make this book special. The art work contains such things as, beautiful flowers, woodland scenes, minute details like snowflakes, dragonfly wings, musical instruments, spinning wheels etc, that will truly amaze adults and delight children alike. It is easy to see why the author/illustrator has been a Caldecott winner.

A great addition for collectors.

5/5 stars
(library

2 comments:

  1. The illustrations are gorgeous! I'd get the book just for those. But I like the sound of the story with the new take on Aesop's fable, too. Thanks for sharing this book.

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  2. I always look for your kids book recommendations at our library and have nev er been disappointed. You write great reviews!

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