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The Grasshopper and the Ants
In this stunning companion to the Caldecott Medal-winning The Lion & the Mouse and the highly acclaimed The Tortoise & the Hare, a playful grasshopper wonders why the busy ants around him won't join in his merrymaking as the seasons pass by. But when winter arrives, he soon sees the value of his friends' hard work--just as the ants learn the value of sharing what they've worked for. Featuring a striking, surprise gatefold page, this third book in Jerry Pinkney's gorgeous trilogy of picture book fables subtly suggests a resonant moral: Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2015
8 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Pinkney
150 books266 followersJerry Pinkney was an American illustrator and writer of children's literature. Pinkney illustrated more than 100 books, including picture books, nonfiction titles and novels. Pinkney's works addressed diverse themes and were usually done in watercolors. He was the recipient of five Caldecott Honor books and the winner of the Caldecott Medal for The Lion and the Mouse. He also won the Coretta Scott King Award five times, the Coretta Scott King Honor four times, and was nominated for the prestigious international Hans Christian Anderson Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
November 9, 2019
Holy Cow, the artwork in the story is beautiful. I like the idea this story tells. The ants at the end have compassion on the grasshopper and they feed him, while the grasshopper entertains them.
I remember the Disney cartoon and it has a very grim ending when the ants send the grasshopper off to starve to death in winter. I liked the cartoon without thinking too much about it. I have come to think of this story as the archetype for a musician or wondering minstrel. Some artist have a hard time with the day to day, but they can lift spirits while others work. In this story, in winter the ants relax more and they enjoy hearing the grasshoppers music and stories and they dance with him. It’s like he gets to sing for his supper here. I like this interpretation better as it asserts that we all have a role to play and it’s not the same for all of us. Some of us get different roles.
Anyway, the book is worth just looking at the watercolors. The colors are vivid and so much is going on. It’s like walking through the woods. Wonderful. Jerry Pinkney outdid himself with this artwork.
The Nephew surprised me. He thought the ants were pretty great. I assumed he would be all into the grasshopper, but he liked the ants. He thought this was a cool story and gave it 3 stars.
I remember the Disney cartoon and it has a very grim ending when the ants send the grasshopper off to starve to death in winter. I liked the cartoon without thinking too much about it. I have come to think of this story as the archetype for a musician or wondering minstrel. Some artist have a hard time with the day to day, but they can lift spirits while others work. In this story, in winter the ants relax more and they enjoy hearing the grasshoppers music and stories and they dance with him. It’s like he gets to sing for his supper here. I like this interpretation better as it asserts that we all have a role to play and it’s not the same for all of us. Some of us get different roles.
Anyway, the book is worth just looking at the watercolors. The colors are vivid and so much is going on. It’s like walking through the woods. Wonderful. Jerry Pinkney outdid himself with this artwork.
The Nephew surprised me. He thought the ants were pretty great. I assumed he would be all into the grasshopper, but he liked the ants. He thought this was a cool story and gave it 3 stars.
October 23, 2017
The traditional story of the hard-working ants that rebuff the ever-excited grasshopper all spring, summer, and autumn. When the snow hits and the ants are entirely ready, the grasshopper discovers that he has done nothing to ready himself. I was able to draw wonderful parallels for Neo, explaining that the classroom student who does all of their work can enjoy recess and games, while the procrastinating one is forced to redo everything and face the ire of the teacher. I think he got it... check in with me soon!
October 2, 2014
Stunning just isn't the word to use up top there, in the summary. It's too mild to describe my response to the art in this latest offering by a master. I want to frame the arc. I want to carry it everywhere with me. I want to thrust it into the hands of everyone I see. When it releases in April, I am buying a box of them to give as presents. (I hope the publisher is considering boxing the three Aesop books as gift sets) I will never tire of rereading it. Each time I do, I find something new in the intricate paintings. I was lucky enough to view some original art at the publisher preview yesterday. I could not stop staring at the paintings. Two years ago, I was lucky enough to observe the artist at work at a workshop and was totally mesmerized to watch a lemur emerge from the white paper while he amiably chatted with us. Amazing. My friends and colleagues already know that my love and admiration for this man's work knows no bounds. I fell hard way back in the 80s for John Henry and have been entranced with each new book since. He just gets better and better.
There are more words in this than in the two earlier retellings from Aesop, Lion and Mouse and Tortoise and Hare, but a series of evocative wordless pages and an ingenious gatefold are used to great effect at the climax of the story. Indeed, do not rush through this if you're choosing to read it aloud. Allow your young charges to immerse themselves and share a contented sigh at the end. And, please do not skip the charming author's note at the end.
There are more words in this than in the two earlier retellings from Aesop, Lion and Mouse and Tortoise and Hare, but a series of evocative wordless pages and an ingenious gatefold are used to great effect at the climax of the story. Indeed, do not rush through this if you're choosing to read it aloud. Allow your young charges to immerse themselves and share a contented sigh at the end. And, please do not skip the charming author's note at the end.
February 28, 2023
You know it’s going to be good the minute you see Jerry Pinkney’s name on the cover. And, of course, it’s even better than you might have hoped. Not just a retelling of the classic Aesop’s fable, but a lovely seasonal spin on the story. And with a perfect ending. Smashingly good.
June 1, 2015
Pinkney continues his recent trend of Aesop fables rewrites, this time with the happy go-lucky Grasshoper and the super-diligent and productive colony of ants.
Unusual for picture books, you will miss out on the moral of the story in this one if you don't look at the back end papers. In Pinkney's version, the ants take mercy on the Grasshopper even though he's been foolish and you think that's the end of the story. BUT if you look at the endpaper illustration it seems that the Grasshopper has learned his lesson because the next growing season he is helping the ants gather. I was a little disappointed with the story at first because I thought it lacked the main moral of the fable. Thankfully, I have a habit of reading author's notes (I know, I'm strange), but thanks to my strange habit I learned from Pinkney that I needed to go look at the back end papers and then I felt better about the book's message and faithfulness to the fable. He also has some other interesting little tidbits about the challenges of illustrating this story because of the disparity in size of the two creatures, so I encourage you to read his note as well.
I will say, this is my least favorite of Pinkney's fables so far. Not that that means it is bad. I just absolutely love his others. This one has more words than either The Lion and the Mouse or The Tortoise and the Hare, but that's not my main problem (though I love wordless or practically wordless books). My main issue was the medium. I appreciate the incredible challenge of painting such intricate illustrations with watercolors, but at the same time, they make this book incredibly busy and a bit hard to look at. Kids with visual problems may find this a really hard book to follow (except for the spare winter scenes). I have really good vision, and I sometimes found it hard to focus on the page and figure out what all was going on. I think a different medium might have made the busy scenes a little crisper and easier to view, but at the same time, I am super impressed with Pinkney's incredible talent. Just give yourself plenty of time to take in the pages and maybe prop it up and step back from the book to help yourself.
Unusual for picture books, you will miss out on the moral of the story in this one if you don't look at the back end papers. In Pinkney's version, the ants take mercy on the Grasshopper even though he's been foolish and you think that's the end of the story. BUT if you look at the endpaper illustration it seems that the Grasshopper has learned his lesson because the next growing season he is helping the ants gather. I was a little disappointed with the story at first because I thought it lacked the main moral of the fable. Thankfully, I have a habit of reading author's notes (I know, I'm strange), but thanks to my strange habit I learned from Pinkney that I needed to go look at the back end papers and then I felt better about the book's message and faithfulness to the fable. He also has some other interesting little tidbits about the challenges of illustrating this story because of the disparity in size of the two creatures, so I encourage you to read his note as well.
I will say, this is my least favorite of Pinkney's fables so far. Not that that means it is bad. I just absolutely love his others. This one has more words than either The Lion and the Mouse or The Tortoise and the Hare, but that's not my main problem (though I love wordless or practically wordless books). My main issue was the medium. I appreciate the incredible challenge of painting such intricate illustrations with watercolors, but at the same time, they make this book incredibly busy and a bit hard to look at. Kids with visual problems may find this a really hard book to follow (except for the spare winter scenes). I have really good vision, and I sometimes found it hard to focus on the page and figure out what all was going on. I think a different medium might have made the busy scenes a little crisper and easier to view, but at the same time, I am super impressed with Pinkney's incredible talent. Just give yourself plenty of time to take in the pages and maybe prop it up and step back from the book to help yourself.
February 9, 2015
Books like this one are one of the reasons I simply adore reading picture books. The author has retold the cautionary classic fable about two different creatures' philosophy of life. While the grasshopper, cleverly rendered here as a one-man band with instruments everywhere, enjoys life and doesn't worry about tomorrow, the ants have been busily preparing for the advent of winter. In this version the ants take pity on the grasshopper and invite him into their dwelling to share refreshments and his music with them. The cover is simply gorgeous as is the incredibly detailed interior art. Even the title page is a work of art. I have to say I like this picture book more every time I look at it, and I liked it very much to start with.
August 27, 2019
There's some text at the beginning while the grasshopper asks the ants to join him in playing all spring, summer, and fall. But, then it goes wordless and we see the grasshopper shivering and cold as the ants still work underground. When the grasshopper knocks on their door will they let him in or leave him outside to freeze and learn his lesson because he didn't prepare?
The illustrations were pretty, but so busy! I found it hard to distinguish what was happening in some of the spreads. This would be a hard one to read aloud because of that and the fact that the entire 2/3 of the end of the book is wordless.
The illustrations were pretty, but so busy! I found it hard to distinguish what was happening in some of the spreads. This would be a hard one to read aloud because of that and the fact that the entire 2/3 of the end of the book is wordless.
January 10, 2016
I knew I would give this story 5 stars even before I read it. Anyone who knows me, knows what a huge Pinkney fan I am! I have loved his books since he started illustrating Miranda and Brother Wind, The Talking Eggs, and The Patchwork Quilt. His artwork always draws me into a story. Soon afterwards, he began retelling and illustrating fables and folktales on his own. If you haven’t read any of his other works, do yourself a favor and fall in love with Jerry Pinkney!
http://julianaleewriter.com/books-ali...
http://julianaleewriter.com/books-ali...
May 6, 2016
Not many words but it took a while to read to grade 3 as we were studying the gorgeous pictures. Lots of detail going on here and one that shows not only the importance of preparing for tomorrow but the joy of music and being kind. The ants could have rejected the grasshopper but instead they welcome him with drink and he in return entertains during the lonely and long winter nights. Pinkney is amazing!
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April 3, 2015Loved the tension and resolution between the grasshoper and the ants and the artwork invites you in to the world of these wonderful insects.
May 30, 2015
Beautiful illustrations!
January 27, 2016
No. Did not like this at all.
Read
February 13, 2018Jerry Pinkney is still my favorite Illustrator! He did a fabulous job with this Caldecott Medalist Winner!
Great lesson in this story about do not wait to the last minute to get things done!
Great lesson in this story about do not wait to the last minute to get things done!
October 31, 2019
Wonderful story and pictures
March 29, 2016
Fable:
Pinkney, Jerry (2015). The Grasshopper & the Ants
Target audience: Ages 2-6
Setting: A meadow
Character(s)/Plot/Summary: In this retelling of one of Aesop’s Fables, Grasshopper wants to have fun and play year-round. He invites his friends the ants, but they are busy working. As the seasons pass, Grasshopper lazily enjoys the weather changes, while the ants continue to work hard. When winter hits, Grasshopper is left all alone shivering in the snow. The ants, on the other hand, are warm and cozy in their home enjoying the food they gathered all year long. Grasshopper asks the ants for shelter and they welcome him in with open arms. He learns an important lesson about working hard in order to get what you need.
Illustrations: The colors in the illustrations change as the seasons change throughout the story. The illustrations overpower the text, sometimes making it a too busy for me. I found it difficult to focus and a bit overwhelming. Some pages do not have text, making this a partial wordless book.
Personal critique/strengths/weaknesses: I was a bit disappointed with this book. I felt that there was a need for more text in order to fully develop this great Aesop’s Fable and for young children to comprehend the moral of the story. The illustrations, although very detailed, were too busy and may confuse the target audience.
Pinkney, Jerry (2015). The Grasshopper & the Ants
Target audience: Ages 2-6
Setting: A meadow
Character(s)/Plot/Summary: In this retelling of one of Aesop’s Fables, Grasshopper wants to have fun and play year-round. He invites his friends the ants, but they are busy working. As the seasons pass, Grasshopper lazily enjoys the weather changes, while the ants continue to work hard. When winter hits, Grasshopper is left all alone shivering in the snow. The ants, on the other hand, are warm and cozy in their home enjoying the food they gathered all year long. Grasshopper asks the ants for shelter and they welcome him in with open arms. He learns an important lesson about working hard in order to get what you need.
Illustrations: The colors in the illustrations change as the seasons change throughout the story. The illustrations overpower the text, sometimes making it a too busy for me. I found it difficult to focus and a bit overwhelming. Some pages do not have text, making this a partial wordless book.
Personal critique/strengths/weaknesses: I was a bit disappointed with this book. I felt that there was a need for more text in order to fully develop this great Aesop’s Fable and for young children to comprehend the moral of the story. The illustrations, although very detailed, were too busy and may confuse the target audience.
March 6, 2018
the best thing about this book is the use of multiple colors for the text and the designs, and how detailed the pictures are on each page. no design is the same on each page and the detail gets better and better. the story itself is more of a lesson for the readers to learn which is to not procrastinate just to party and have fun, because one day, the partying will be over and you will not have anything to fall back on. the grasshopper had to learn the hard way that the fun each season brings, also brings its negatives and luckily the ants were kind enough to bring him inside and join their party. the story is very short and most pages do not have text, which i did not personally like, because the pictures were so detailed that i felt like i needed more of a description of what was happening than what i could make up on my own. it allows for the reader to be creative, but i wished there was more text to get into greater detail
May 14, 2022
This is a picture book retelling of "The Ant and the Grasshopper" by Aesop.
A grasshopper idles away spring, summer, and fall while the ants scrupulously prepare for the coming winter.
While the classic moral to put work before play remains, the ending has been softened. Instead of freezing and starving to death, the grasshopper is invited into the anthill and allowed to share the fruits of the ants’ labor. So, the additional modern moral is that one can always freeload because contemporary society won’t allow citizens to die as the result of their own bad decisions even if it is their just desserts. An alternate modern moral could be that the principle of Noblesse Oblige is still in effect; however, judging by the behavior of America’s billionaire class, this is not true.
A grasshopper idles away spring, summer, and fall while the ants scrupulously prepare for the coming winter.
While the classic moral to put work before play remains, the ending has been softened. Instead of freezing and starving to death, the grasshopper is invited into the anthill and allowed to share the fruits of the ants’ labor. So, the additional modern moral is that one can always freeload because contemporary society won’t allow citizens to die as the result of their own bad decisions even if it is their just desserts. An alternate modern moral could be that the principle of Noblesse Oblige is still in effect; however, judging by the behavior of America’s billionaire class, this is not true.
October 8, 2017
Beautifully told Aesop Fable. The grasshopper can't understand why the ants won't stop their work to enjoy his music and season outside. When winter comes, he's all alone and no one will listen to him play his music. There is a very cool extended page kids will love. Finally the ants let him in and offer him some tea. He plays for them at the end. That is not the real story ending in Aesop so it might be fun to compare the two with a class. I do like how the ants show the grasshopper mercy and generosity despite his slacking off during the work season. Hopefully the grasshopper will learn his lesson and readers will, too. Excellent illustrations as always from a master craftsman artist. Highly recommended for grades K-5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2017
When I read books like this one, I remember why I love reading picture books. This book is about how the grasshopper notices all the ants busy at work preparing for the winter, but he was so set on living in the moment and playing his music. When winter came he had no food or shelter and was all alone. He noticed how the ants were sharing their food and had a warm place to stay and realized he should have been more prepared. The queen ant offered him some tea and invited him in. The grasshopper was no longer lonely and learned how to be prepared for the future. It takes on a hint of the known story tortious and the hare. I think children would love this not only because of the pictures but because of the underlying message as well.
June 20, 2015
I enjoyed being reminded of this classic Aesop fable. Text is just fine, and tells story well, but the illustrations are difficult to decipher.
Also, it's important to read the author's notes at the end, and then view the end-piece which shows that the grasshopper has changed his approach to storing up and saving come spring.
Not as compelling as the Lion and the Mouse, which i totally enjoyed, but worthwhile nonetheless.
Also, it's important to read the author's notes at the end, and then view the end-piece which shows that the grasshopper has changed his approach to storing up and saving come spring.
Not as compelling as the Lion and the Mouse, which i totally enjoyed, but worthwhile nonetheless.
April 11, 2018
A conversation starter for my 3 year old. We discussed the role that different people play in society and the feelings of the characters. We related the Grasshopper's lack of interest in work to her not wanting to put away her toys and discovered that it Mom would just turn on some music she would like chores way more! Mom got to hug her sweet girl and thank her for bringing joy and fun into an otherwise boring cold winter.
A well told tale with beautiful illustrations.
-Mom
A well told tale with beautiful illustrations.
-Mom
January 10, 2024
Updated from 3 to 4 stars. Both girls enjoyed it this time around. They resonated with the grace in the ants and could connect with the desire to live each day as the grasshopper did. Now, just to live out the balance.
Illustrations are perfection, but the tale has been told too many times in too many other books. We were bored.
Illustrations are perfection, but the tale has been told too many times in too many other books. We were bored.
December 26, 2017
Jerry Pinkney's art is fantastic as always. Kids will love pouring over every detail of these lush watercolors. There's also a gentle lesson both about planning/procrastination and generosity that's less hamfisted than other retellings.
February 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this version of Aesop's Fable The Grasshopper & the Ants. Jerry Pinkney's lush illustrations and his reimagining of the grasshopper as a one-man-band is fun. I like that he gave the grasshopper a happy ending that readers can see.
August 21, 2018
A gorgeously illustrated retelling of the grasshopper - who wanted to play - and the ants - who worked and prepared. The end of this story goes better for the grasshopper than in the original version.
October 10, 2018
Genre: Traditional Literature/Picture Book
Copyright Date: 2015
This was a beautiful story with great illustrations about not procrastinating. Can be used in the classroom to teach responsibility, teamwork, and "work first, then play." Good for grades K-5.
Copyright Date: 2015
This was a beautiful story with great illustrations about not procrastinating. Can be used in the classroom to teach responsibility, teamwork, and "work first, then play." Good for grades K-5.
August 23, 2015
Lovely watercolor paintings with a happy ending for the grasshopper.
October 7, 2017
This story would be useful to teach a lesson about working hard and the consequences of procrastinating. The moral of the story "don't put off what can be done today."
January 29, 2018
Retelling of an Aesop fable; beautiful, detailed line & watercolor illustrations from Jerry Pinkney.
August 7, 2019
I thought the art style was beautiful.
There was a story to the images, but not much story in text. I would have liked there to have been bit more substance.
There was a story to the images, but not much story in text. I would have liked there to have been bit more substance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews