*The Grasshopper and the Ants by Jerry Pinkney

*The Grasshopper and the Ants by Jerry Pinkney. Little, Brown, 2015. 40 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8

Recommended For: Ages 4-8

Vibrant, colorful water colors breathe new life into this familiar fable of the lazy grasshopper and industrious ants. Beginning with the front endpapers, illustrations tell of a lonely, proud, and lazy grasshopper who would rather play than work until winter forces his hand. In contrast, his fellow ants, who worked diligently during warmer weather, get to enjoy the fruits of their labors when winter comes. The ants take pity on the grasshopper, offering him food and shelter. In return, his music enlivens their wintry home.

The seasons come to life as well as the insect world in this detailed, busy picture book. The short text resists the urge to preach, and many pages are wordless. Young readers will enjoy studying the details that are realistic as much as they will enjoy Pinkney’s added touches of clothing, dishes, and musical instruments in his delightful, complex paintings. Highly recommended both for its artistic qualities as well as its message, this book is a great illustration of Proverbs 6:6.

Cautions: none

Overall Rating: 5

• Worldview Rating: 5
• Artistic Rating: 5

Categories: Picture Books, Starred Review, Animal Stories, Fairy and Folk Tales, Character Values

*indicates starred review

cover image from amazon