The City Under the Back Steps

by Evelyn Sibley Lampman, Honoré Valintcourt (Illustrator)

Newly republished by Purple House Press.

Meet Jill and Craig, two children who mysteriously shrink and are taken prisoner by an ant colony.

Down beneath the ground they are herded, to the city under the back steps and the complex world of the ant colony. Here where the haughty Queen rules with an iron hand, each of her subjects has a vital role to perform, and Jill and Craig are put to work. But no sooner had they become involved in the daily routine of the colony when an army of red ants sweeps down, threatening the destruction of the city and its inhabitants, including Jill and Craig!

Evelyn Sibley Lampman’s exciting fantasy, sure to ignite an interest in nature, accurately explores the fascinating hierarchy of the ant world.

Contains 27 original illustrations by Honoré Valintcourt and a preview of chapter one from The Bounces of Cynthiann'

Genres: Childrens, Nature, Fiction

210 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1960

About the author

(1907-1980) Mrs. Lampman grew up in Dallas, Oregon, granddaughter of pioneers in that region. She graduated from Oregon State and worked for many years in radio. Her first book was published in 1948, and she was most recognized for sensitive books about racial minorities, especially Native Americans.

Reviews

[Noël]

my favorite childhood book. so sad it is out of print.

[Jenna]

I originally read this book more than 20 years ago, and the story has been stuck in my head all those years. It's now out of print, but I found a copy on eBay (paid a small fortune), and I'm very happy that I'll be able to share it with my nephew soon. Still a great kids' tale, if a bit dated.

[Tom]

As a child, this book must have made quite an impression on me. Probably not the first book I ever read but it IS the first one I remember reading. More than 60 years ago! After reading it, I pestered for an ant farm and though Mom wasn't fond of the idea of ants in the house, she relented. To this day, I think of this book when I see ants scurrying around my own back steps. (And, yes I feel guilty if I step on them...) :)

[Rebecca]

I recently purchased the audio version (available from ChinaBerry) and listened to it with my 9 and 7 year old children. We all thoroughly enjoyed it. While some areas were dated, it did not take away from the imagination and enjoyment of the adventure. Weeks after completing the story, we are still referencing different parts of the book and (trying) to imitate the voices that the narrator brought to life. The voice of "Cricket" in particular was a favorite. What a great way to turn the family "taxi" rides to/from after-school activities more enjoyable! I mush prefer audio stories to movies.

[Vivian]

This book was read aloud to my fourth-grade class as we worked on quiet art projects at our desks. I loved hearing the exciting story about a brother and sister who get shrunk to ant-size and taken into the colony under the steps. I read it aloud to my own children. Imagine my excitement to see it available now in audio-book form!

The story is a wonderful combination of adventure, science fiction, and instruction for information-hungry children. We are all insatiably curious and sponges for knowledge when it is packaged temptingly.

When I gather school-age children for a craft program at the library I treat my "captive audience" with book talks. I was happy for an excuse to tell them about this timeless story.

Reading aloud as a parent affords opportunities to talk about impressions and questions. This one gives a peek at assumptions about gender roles at the time it was written. Talk about (speculate together?) how social changes come about. Talk about science advancements. Watch some informational movies about ants. Get an ant farm. Read picture books about ants. Watch story movies starring ants. Learn about how to tackle problems with ant infestations. Brainstorm together more you can do to learn together.

[Lin]

I think this book is one of the most imaginative children's books I have ever read. It has been about 50 years since I last read this book and while it is gender biased at times, I do think it is still worth reading, if the book is discussed with adults. (Thank you, Em, for finding this book for me! It is a lovely and thoughtful gift.)

[Kathie Price]

Wonderful book that I have searched for (in vain) for YEARS! There should be someone out there willing to go thru the proper hoops to republish this classic. I sure would like to read it to my grandchildren.

[Abigail]

This book was so great! I still remember a number of things from it, even though it's probably been at least twenty years since I read it. They really ought to reprint it.

[Gaynor]

To say that I read this book is not actually true. My teacher in 2nd or 3rd grade read a chapter from this story to us each Friday afternoon. I often think about it, and have wondered what it was titled.
I see others have mentioned that it is out of print and it is dated. Not surprising since I listened to it 55 years ago. I am sorry that it is out of print, I would like to read it for myself.

[Sally]

This book made a lasting impression on my kids - a fun story that builds empathy for the ants and other creatures.

[Peggie]

I read this book as a child and remember loving it then. I decided to read it again, now that I'm 61, and enjoyed it just as much all over again!

[Lani Crawford]

It’s back in print !! Yay!!!!Found it on Abebooks, I have been looking for it periodically over the years.
Possibly even more charming and better than I remember when I read it 50 years ago!!

[Heidi Burkhart]

Lampman was one of my favorite authors as a child. She combined non-fiction with fiction for intriguing reading. Imagine my delight when I discover that this title is now available in CD format. This is a terrific choice for kids who like to learn scientific facts while they read. Two children get bit by ants which shrink them to the size of an ant, and they are forced to join the colony. Through these adventures the reader learns much about an ant colony and enjoys a delightful story at the same time.

[Ksorb]

I read this in third grade, and it was the most memorable single book I read growing up. I'm sorry it's out of print, and library copies are growing scarce, but it's worth the search, perhaps through the Interlibrary Loan System. Fascinating read.

[Pat Murphy]

This was one of the books that got me interested in science, way back when. I read it when I was a kid, and I still remember the ant colony quite vividly. So sorry to hear it's out of print. [update -- This book is back in print after many years. I just got a copy and I am very happy!]

[Baby Isabel]

Donna: Another for when she's older, maybe third grade. An exciting story of kids who are shrunk to ant size and learn empathy for the small creatures around us.

[Jen]

I’ve decided I’m just not an insect person. It’s an excellent visual on the workings of an ant hill but I found it difficult to warm to them. I would recommend it for school. Excellent source of information.

[Jennifer V]

What a cool book for kids (and adults). We learned so much about ants but it didn't feel like "learning" because it was a fictional story :)

[Lee W.]

Love this book!!! Read it as a child. Looked for it years back, only available as collectors item, several hundred dollars! I'm so happy they published again!!!

[Janet Johnson]

I don't remember exactly when I read this book - it was over 50 years ago. But it has stayed with me and was one of the books that caused me to fall in love with reading. I was telling my soon-to-be 10 year old granddaughter about it and decided to buy it for her. I would love for her to realize that reading is not just something you have to do in school, but that it can open whole new worlds for you. I was so disappointed to learn it's now out of print. What a shame.

[Melanie]

This was a reread of a favorite childhood book. I was reading it to my kids and slightly editing on the fly disparaging female gender remarks by the boy character. However, halfway into the book, I began to wonder if Lampman put these in to make a point - since all the ants in the colony are females, and this comes up from time to time. If so, the point was subtly made. My boys LOVED this book too, and continue to talk about it. That idea of being shrunk to insect size captures the imagination!

[Linda Wylie]

This story has always been a stand out book from my childhood, and as others gave said, one that has remained in my head for many decades. It made me think differently about nature, built on the wonderful teachings about ecology my father taught me and the insect world.

That's quite an impressive thing for a book to do

[Lawrence]

Read this book when I was in fifth or sixth grade and it made a lasting impression. Too bad it's out of print, although it's sometimes better to live with the childhood memory than have it erased by adult experience.

[Sara]

I love ants. Loved them as a kid, liked this book.

[Maggie]

Teaches you not to step on ants!

[Annie]

very fun book about kids becoming ants--I loved this as a kid.

[Jan]

My sister first read this book and then I read it after her. She was 13 and I was ten. To this day we share books but I do believe it started with The City Under the Back Steps

[Dee Martin]

Like another classic favorite by Lampman (RUSTY'S SPACE SHIP, available on Internet Archive), CITY UNDER THE BACK STEPS has understated message of "girl power"; some contemporary readers mistake comments by boy character at beginning of story as "proof" that both stories are dated, but in fact each book has feminist aim. Human children are suddenly plunged into science fiction-seeming world of society in city of ants lead by a Queen, in which females are much more important than short-lived males.

[Kathleen Shaputis]

Loved this as a young girl, thoroughly enjoyed reading it again at 69 years of age. I cannot tell you how thrilled I was that I could put into Google search the small bit I remembered of this book that captivated me in second grade and have it put me out of my misery of not remembering the title. I knew the black ants smelled like vanilla and the red ants smelled like cinnamon, but none of my friends had ever read such a story. Well, huzzah for the internet. And I am grateful the copyright was renewed so I could buy a copy of this adored book.

[Jennifer Ritchie]

Charming story about two children who get shrunk down to a tiny size and then join an ant colony. The details about ant life and hierarchies is quite accurate, and the characters—haughty queen, fussy nannie, friendly cricket, etc—are very sympathetic and likeable, despite the fact that they are insects! This would be great for school reading.