What do you think?
Rate this book
The Ant and the Grasshopper
While hard at work on her chores, an ant hears the wonderful clickety click chirrup of music coming from the distance. Although she knows she should focus on the task at hand, she can't help but explore the joyful noise! Award-winning team Rebecca and Ed Emberley bring an entertaining new twist to the classic children's. The bright, bold graphics seem to dance and leap, as a bunch of boogying bugs start a celebration of their own.
28 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 16, 2012
10 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
December 20, 2012
I liked this one! Ed Emberley, so the illustrations are of course bright and perfect and colorful and visible from outer space (or at the very least, from across the room at story time). I like that it ends up just being a simple story about how music can make everything awesome. I think I'd try this at preschool story time!
October 16, 2017
This story is a German folktale that is surrounding some very obvious lessons. It is about a grasshopper with little motivation. He only wants to soak up the sun and play music. This catches up to him come wintertime. The ant however worked hard all summer and had lots of food for winter. When the grasshopper was hungry and cold in the winter the ant helped him out but told him to prepare for the next winter.
This is quite obviously focused on a few lessons such as, not procrastinating, working hard all the time and helping when someone is in need. It was a very simple read, probably for children around age three or four. It had a good central focus that was easy to follow and would be very easy to teach. Overall a cute book.
This is quite obviously focused on a few lessons such as, not procrastinating, working hard all the time and helping when someone is in need. It was a very simple read, probably for children around age three or four. It had a good central focus that was easy to follow and would be very easy to teach. Overall a cute book.
September 23, 2019
The Ant and the Grasshopper was an interesting read! I enjoyed the book and it was overall straightforward into what is was trying to convey. The book is a traditional fable due to the moral of the story. The book clearly shows the moral of the story which is great for younger readers.
The illustrations consisted of the colors being vibrant. It catches the audiences' eye and keeps them intact with the reading. The illustrations also conveyed the text well in terms of drawing New York City as well as Central Park. The transitions from season to season was well portrayed. The book was simple, but created a valuable lesson that children can relate to.
I would definitely use this book in the classroom. I would use it for children between the ages of 3-6. The story creates the idea of preparing for the future. I could also use the moral to relate it back to doing their work before playing. It shows good lessons to be learned it and allows the children to see what could happen if they procrastinate or don't do it all.
The illustrations consisted of the colors being vibrant. It catches the audiences' eye and keeps them intact with the reading. The illustrations also conveyed the text well in terms of drawing New York City as well as Central Park. The transitions from season to season was well portrayed. The book was simple, but created a valuable lesson that children can relate to.
I would definitely use this book in the classroom. I would use it for children between the ages of 3-6. The story creates the idea of preparing for the future. I could also use the moral to relate it back to doing their work before playing. It shows good lessons to be learned it and allows the children to see what could happen if they procrastinate or don't do it all.
December 28, 2012
If you're expecting the classic Aesop fable of the ant who toils and the grasshopper who plays and how both get their just desserts, forget it. Here the hard working ant finds that the grasshopper and his band make music that lightens her hard work, and she in turn offers them a chance to get out of the heat in the ant colony.
The stars are for the art, because frankly as much as I admire the Emberly art, I have always been under impressed by the prose, and such is the case here. The dialogue is limp and the plot pretty thin.
The stars are for the art, because frankly as much as I admire the Emberly art, I have always been under impressed by the prose, and such is the case here. The dialogue is limp and the plot pretty thin.
January 28, 2013
Best for kids ages 3 and up.
Early Literacy Skills: Print Motivation, Vocabulary, Phonological Awareness, Narrative Skills
From cover:
While hard at work on her chores, as ant hears the wonderful clickety click and chirrup of music coming from the distance. Although she knows she should focus on the task at hand, she can't help but investigate the joyful noise!
The classic tale of the ant and the grasshopper gets a new look with this story. Bold, colorful illustration bring this fast paced book to life for young readers and their families.
Early Literacy Skills: Print Motivation, Vocabulary, Phonological Awareness, Narrative Skills
From cover:
While hard at work on her chores, as ant hears the wonderful clickety click and chirrup of music coming from the distance. Although she knows she should focus on the task at hand, she can't help but investigate the joyful noise!
The classic tale of the ant and the grasshopper gets a new look with this story. Bold, colorful illustration bring this fast paced book to life for young readers and their families.
December 18, 2012
We were completely fooled by this book. One look at the title and our oldest daughter and I thought we totally knew what was coming in this story. We expected an Aesop's fable, but that's not what we got. Instead, what we got was a celebration of music and Cajun fun. Hmmm...(I did see that the dedication was to the people of New Orleans.)
In any case, the story is fun and the illustrations are very bright (almost too garish for my taste.) We enjoyed reading this book together.
In any case, the story is fun and the illustrations are very bright (almost too garish for my taste.) We enjoyed reading this book together.
February 8, 2013
Laissez les bon temps rouler! The Emberleys bring their bright, exuberant style to this classic folktale, adding an extra special twist by setting the story in a New Orleans backyard, made evident by the charmingly distinctive dialogue: "Well, baby, our music might be red hot, but we like to be cool. Sometimes it's hard to catch a break out there on the boulevard." This would be a great book to incorporate into a musical storytime.
December 12, 2012
I didn't love how it wasn't the traditional story. The illustrations were classic Emberley illustrations though.
October 17, 2019
The Ant and the Grasshopper is originally one of the many famous Aesop’s fables. The original fable describes a grasshopper who is playing music and continues to sing and dance while the ants pass by with food they are harvesting for the upcoming winter season. The grasshopper continues to make a fuss about the ants working so hard, but they continued on their way to complete their winter supply of food. By the end of the story, the grasshopper soon realizes that the ants were smart to work so hard storing for the cold, as he played too long and did not prepare. This book is a Cajun musical twist to this original tale, and it brings much life and modern day charm. The tiresome ant in this book struggles to complete a tasty picnic, when all of a sudden she hears a grasshopper and his boogying band! The ant doesn’t want to leave the groovy tunes, but must get back to her family in the colony. Instead, the grasshopper and his band follow her along and bring the music underground! Author and illustrator Rebecca and Ed Emberley add to the narration of the insect characters with bold and colorful graphics that will surely catch a young readers eye!
This book is a great read aloud text for grades 2nd through 3rd. This new version of The Ant and the Grasshopper is a “WOW” book for me because it includes very descriptive adjectives and verbs. The word choice this author chooses is very important because it allows students to not only learn possible new vocabulary, but it also shows students how this author helps readers build a mental picture of the setting and characters. A teacher could have students use this vocabulary and apply it to a graphic organizer called the frayer model. This model is one that requires students to define the word, generate examples and non-examples of the word, and to illustrate the meaning of the word. It is important for the teacher to model this process with vocabulary already familiar with students before this becomes an independent activity students use with this book. Another way this text can be used instructionally in the classroom is for a comparison lesson with the traditional Aesop fable I mentioned in my description of the book. Comparing and contrasting these two stories for elements such as setting, characters, problem, solution and overall theme would be a beneficial activity. I would also have students focus on the theme, meaning the lesson they can take away from the story and if they agree in it being similar, different, or not at all present in the book. This text also includes personification between the insects, which could lead to an introductory or follow up lesson on this element of figurative language. Students could go on a text hunt to find the places in the text where this element is found, and how they know, based on punctuation, that the insects are thinking or speaking. The possibilities for instruction are numerous with this book, and students will fall in love with it just as much as you!
This book is a great read aloud text for grades 2nd through 3rd. This new version of The Ant and the Grasshopper is a “WOW” book for me because it includes very descriptive adjectives and verbs. The word choice this author chooses is very important because it allows students to not only learn possible new vocabulary, but it also shows students how this author helps readers build a mental picture of the setting and characters. A teacher could have students use this vocabulary and apply it to a graphic organizer called the frayer model. This model is one that requires students to define the word, generate examples and non-examples of the word, and to illustrate the meaning of the word. It is important for the teacher to model this process with vocabulary already familiar with students before this becomes an independent activity students use with this book. Another way this text can be used instructionally in the classroom is for a comparison lesson with the traditional Aesop fable I mentioned in my description of the book. Comparing and contrasting these two stories for elements such as setting, characters, problem, solution and overall theme would be a beneficial activity. I would also have students focus on the theme, meaning the lesson they can take away from the story and if they agree in it being similar, different, or not at all present in the book. This text also includes personification between the insects, which could lead to an introductory or follow up lesson on this element of figurative language. Students could go on a text hunt to find the places in the text where this element is found, and how they know, based on punctuation, that the insects are thinking or speaking. The possibilities for instruction are numerous with this book, and students will fall in love with it just as much as you!
January 22, 2020
Be forewarned, though this story shares the same title as Aesop's fable's "The Ant and the Grasshopper", that is where the similarity ends. This story is not at all a lesson on not playing all day and preparing for the future. This story's theme is that everyone has gifts and music makes life easier. It's a good story as it is, though the weird eyes of the bugs makes it hard for me to read. But don't pick this book up if you are hoping for a rendition of the classic fable.
** Talking Points: Music makes the ant's life easier. What songs make your life easier? What songs do you like to listen to when you are working hard? What songs comfort you when you are sad. What songs calm you when you are mad? What songs would you include in a musical first aid kit?
** Essential Oil Pairing Tip: I'd diffuse doTERRA's motivate when reading this book, because the songs that the grasshopper plays help keep the grasshopper motivated and happy.
** Talking Points: Music makes the ant's life easier. What songs make your life easier? What songs do you like to listen to when you are working hard? What songs comfort you when you are sad. What songs calm you when you are mad? What songs would you include in a musical first aid kit?
** Essential Oil Pairing Tip: I'd diffuse doTERRA's motivate when reading this book, because the songs that the grasshopper plays help keep the grasshopper motivated and happy.
August 29, 2019
This is a twist on the classic fable. Essentially, it's just a story about how music can help make chores seem easier and go faster. The ant is weary carrying her heavy burden when she hears the grasshopper's band and stops to listen. The music eases her weariness and she is able to return the favor eventually. Bright, classic Ed Emberley illustrations are a bit kooky, but fun! Definitely recommended for story time.
November 15, 2020
Illustrations are bold, vibrant and support the journey of music and helping others. Ant runs out of energy trying to carry a heavy watermelon home to his underground family. Grasshopper is having a band get together in the grass nearby. The ant is drawn to the sounds and finds a band of musical insects. After explaining it's plight to the lead, a grasshopper, the band journeys home with the ant. All ends well as the whimsical musical insects are invited to stay underground and celebrate.
June 29, 2017
Grasshopper was hopping and chirping and singing one day when an ant passed by. The ant was working to save food for the coming winter. Grasshopper told the ant that he shouldn't worry about the winter because they had plenty of food for right now. When winter came one was well fed while one went hungry.
May 3, 2020
An ant is bringing food back to her colony when she stumbles upon a grasshopper and his band. They help her back to the colony and everyone enjoys the music, while the band is happy to have their music appreciated. Bright and interesting illustrations were the highlight of this book that celebrates music.
Read
June 18, 2019The grasshopper was having a great day in the summer when the ant asked why do you not prepare yourself for the winter. The grasshopper was hungry and the ants were eating. The grasshopper thought it is best to prepare yourself.
August 29, 2023
Ideally you'll snack on gumbo while reading this Cajun-flavored picture book.
Because in this particular version of "The Ant and the Grasshopper," both critters get along beautifully.
"Laissez les bon temps rouler!"
Because in this particular version of "The Ant and the Grasshopper," both critters get along beautifully.
"Laissez les bon temps rouler!"
January 17, 2025
In this version of the fable, the (female) hard-working ant finds that the grasshopper's band music makes her work seem easier and more enjoyable, so in turn she invites the band to take a reprieve from the Louisiana heat underground with the ant colony, where a musical party ensues.
March 28, 2018
The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today
April 12, 2018
perfect for storytime
October 1, 2018
Luminescent and colorful retelling of Aesop's fable.
October 7, 2019
Not the story I was expecting.
October 28, 2019
If we pay attention, we can all lighten each other's loads, even just a little.
November 25, 2020
A unique story with unique illustrations.
February 17, 2021
*Writing on behalf of my 4 year old*
I enjoyed reading this fable. I was happy that the ant helped the grasshopper without any judgement and they soon became friends.
I enjoyed reading this fable. I was happy that the ant helped the grasshopper without any judgement and they soon became friends.
November 24, 2021
Nice book. I know it's not for my age but, I remembered my childhood when I read this book. This book was my brother's book 😁.
May 5, 2022
Quite simply a classic!
This is a brilliant book and timeless story with a good moral. Fantastic and easy for children to understand and enjoy.
This is a brilliant book and timeless story with a good moral. Fantastic and easy for children to understand and enjoy.
May 20, 2022
Nice book. I know it's not for my age but, I remembered my childhood when I read this book. This book was my brother's book 😁.
June 4, 2023
Definitely fractured the original, but in my opinion did so in a terrific way. Music does indeed lighten a heavy heart, and make work easier. Highly recommended.
June 11, 2023
Easy story. Colorful illustrations.
November 14, 2023
A different perspective on the old fable
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews