A Tiny Hero's Big Adventure...
In this heartwarming debut novel, Kaplan-Hagler crafts an enchanting tale about a young ant's quest to find her missing parents. Illustrated by David Gerstein, the story's protagonist, Anty, demonstrates remarkable resilience and bravery as she ventures beyond the safety of her tribe's boundaries on her eleventh birthday. Through beautifully woven narrative threads, readers follow her dangerous encounters with hostile Yellow ants while witnessing the formation of unexpected friendships, particularly with a wise scarab beetle named Hepper.
The author balances themes of loss, hope, and personal growth in a way that will resonate with young readers without overwhelming them. The introduction of supernatural elements, such as a strange ring, adds another depth of intrigue to this already captivating journey. This well-paced narrative imparts essential lessons about standing up for one's convictions and the value of endurance, making it an ideal pick for independent readers who appreciate animal fantasy adventures. Highly recommended. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.