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Ant and Grasshopper
When Ant spies a carefree Grasshopper playing a fiddle outside on the lawn, Ant immediately harrumphs at the insect's foolishness and continues to go about his very serious business of gathering and counting his food for the winter. But Ant finds Grasshopper's music and whimsy more catchy than he'd like, and soon he's distracted by his own rhyming and doodling! When the harsh winter hits and Ant finds Grasshopper cold and hungry in the snow, he can't help but bring him inside. Only after opening his home to Grasshopper does Ant realize that music, dancing, and laughter have their place in his life, too.
Luli Gray's funny twist on this fable will have readers giggling and singing. With Giuliano Ferri's lush and whimsical illustrations, this book is both heartwarming and lovely to behold.
Luli Gray's funny twist on this fable will have readers giggling and singing. With Giuliano Ferri's lush and whimsical illustrations, this book is both heartwarming and lovely to behold.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 8, 2011
2 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
March 19, 2011
Starred review, SLJ
SLJ Book of the Day
NAIBA Children's Picks of the Lists
Amazon Book of the Month
Plus written by my good buddy Luli.
Oooooh. I saw this (all too briefly) yesterday at book group and it's wonderful.
Can you say Caldecott?
http://www.wincbooks.com/luligray.htm
SLJ Book of the Day
NAIBA Children's Picks of the Lists
Amazon Book of the Month
Plus written by my good buddy Luli.
Oooooh. I saw this (all too briefly) yesterday at book group and it's wonderful.
Can you say Caldecott?
http://www.wincbooks.com/luligray.htm
January 22, 2020
I love the compassion the Grasshopper shows for the Ant. I love the warnings that the Grasshopper gave to the Ant. I love that in the end he had compassion for the Ant. I love how both the Grasshopper and the Ant were able to appreciate their own talents and the talents of other people. I love how there is a gentle warning that we do need to prepare of the future, to prepare for hard times.
Talking Points: What do you need to prepare for in the future? What's your game plan for that? Would you want to be dependent on someone else for what you need to survive, or would you want to provide that yourself? What would have happened to the Grasshopper if the Ant wouldn't have had compassion on him. Who do you think needs your compassion and help right now? What talents did the Grasshopper have? What talents did the Ant have? What talents do you have?
Essential Oil Pairing Tip: I'd pair doTERRA's Motivate Essential Oil blend. Because it takes a whole heap of motivation to prepare for the future - and we all need to prepare for the future.
Talking Points: What do you need to prepare for in the future? What's your game plan for that? Would you want to be dependent on someone else for what you need to survive, or would you want to provide that yourself? What would have happened to the Grasshopper if the Ant wouldn't have had compassion on him. Who do you think needs your compassion and help right now? What talents did the Grasshopper have? What talents did the Ant have? What talents do you have?
Essential Oil Pairing Tip: I'd pair doTERRA's Motivate Essential Oil blend. Because it takes a whole heap of motivation to prepare for the future - and we all need to prepare for the future.
August 21, 2020
Grace, compassion, the balance between hard work & play, it’s all there!
October 28, 2011
We value the individual and their unique contributions to our lives, our communities. Yet the words "everybody counts" is not expressed verbally and publicly as it should. When teaching children that they need to respect their fellow classmates, neighbors and friends this book is what all parents and teachers should pick up and read aloud.
Luli Gray's Ant and Grasshopper is a refreshing retelling of an old lesson. Ant is an industrious and methodical accountant of his winter supply of food. He knows winter is long and bitter and is motivated to prepare himself for the future drought. In contrast, the grasshopper is capricious, fun-loving and uses his musical talents to entertain in the present. He makes no time to prepare for winter. Ant warns him, chastises his lack of forethought but to know avail.
Cool winds and dark nights bring winter bearing a heavy, and cold winter blanket over Grasshopper. Naturally, grasshopper seeks shelter from ant. Will ant help a neighbor in need? You will be warmly surprised as ant's and grasshopper share their talents with each other.
Recommended for ages: 5 to 7
Other books that teach character: The Hunter by Mary Casanova, The Empty Pot by Demi
Luli Gray's Ant and Grasshopper is a refreshing retelling of an old lesson. Ant is an industrious and methodical accountant of his winter supply of food. He knows winter is long and bitter and is motivated to prepare himself for the future drought. In contrast, the grasshopper is capricious, fun-loving and uses his musical talents to entertain in the present. He makes no time to prepare for winter. Ant warns him, chastises his lack of forethought but to know avail.
Cool winds and dark nights bring winter bearing a heavy, and cold winter blanket over Grasshopper. Naturally, grasshopper seeks shelter from ant. Will ant help a neighbor in need? You will be warmly surprised as ant's and grasshopper share their talents with each other.
Recommended for ages: 5 to 7
Other books that teach character: The Hunter by Mary Casanova, The Empty Pot by Demi
February 26, 2013
I happen to love Luli Gray's writing (and astringent sense of humor). Her
Ant and Grasshopper
is a retelling of the classic Aesop's fable, minus the self-righteous ethos. In Luli's version, Grasshopper's music turns out to be as valuable as Ant's bean-counting. It's a fable for young readers just learning to question our "get more stuff" culture. And, it will make them laugh.
Luli is also the author of a quartet of fantasy novels published by Houghton Mifflin, two of which have been republished as an ebook called Falcon's Dragon. I can see her sense of humor (and morality) there also.
Luli was born in Argentina and grew up in a bilingual family. She has lived in South America, Europe, New York City, and now, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Living among other cultures seems to have contributed to her sense of rhythm and language. I would like to see Ant and Grasshopper as an audiobook. It would make a great read-aloud (or monologue for the actors out there).
And Giuliano Ferri's illustrations are perfect in their sensuous use of color.
Luli is also the author of a quartet of fantasy novels published by Houghton Mifflin, two of which have been republished as an ebook called Falcon's Dragon. I can see her sense of humor (and morality) there also.
Luli was born in Argentina and grew up in a bilingual family. She has lived in South America, Europe, New York City, and now, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Living among other cultures seems to have contributed to her sense of rhythm and language. I would like to see Ant and Grasshopper as an audiobook. It would make a great read-aloud (or monologue for the actors out there).
And Giuliano Ferri's illustrations are perfect in their sensuous use of color.
March 9, 2012
Terrible book. Single-handedly flip-flopped the lesson of the original fable. In summary, the grasshopper learns nothing from failing to prepare and singing and dancing all summer, while the ant is the bad guy for miserly saving for the winter. In the end the ant learns to sing and dance. The message will not be lost on the adults who read this to their children: if you have, you should be ashamed and you should give; no matter if you are being taken advantage. And if you are the grasshopper, just be yourself, be carefree love life, and other peoples' hard work and determination will ultimately be yours. How about that for a lesson?! I'll introduce my kids to WIC, food stamps and welfare; and tell them to screw college and a job while I'm at it.
November 6, 2012
This book is nominated for the Monarch this year. I can see children K through 2nd really enjoying the illustrations and connecting with the message, especially because of the way in which it is explained. This is a perfect example of text and illustrations enhancing the reader's experience.
Ant is a hard working, food counting, type A dude who spends most of his time counting his winter stores. Grasshopper is a creative, laid back, violin playing soul. They have very different gifts and how they come together is heart warming.
This could be used as a read aloud to spark conversation and activities that illustrate that we all have different talents and one is not better than another. It would be great for teaching acceptance and mutual respect.
Ant is a hard working, food counting, type A dude who spends most of his time counting his winter stores. Grasshopper is a creative, laid back, violin playing soul. They have very different gifts and how they come together is heart warming.
This could be used as a read aloud to spark conversation and activities that illustrate that we all have different talents and one is not better than another. It would be great for teaching acceptance and mutual respect.
February 8, 2012
Ant is serious, studious, and carefully planning for the upcoming winter season. Grasshopper is full of life, loves music and dancing, and lives for the moment.
When winter and all its iciness come, grasshopper is woefully unprepared... much to the i-told-you-so-ness of ant. But, curiously, ant misses his full loving friend, so full of joyous sounds.
Together, they find out the too much seriousness is not so good, as too much fun-loving isn't great either. It is good that everyone counts.
When winter and all its iciness come, grasshopper is woefully unprepared... much to the i-told-you-so-ness of ant. But, curiously, ant misses his full loving friend, so full of joyous sounds.
Together, they find out the too much seriousness is not so good, as too much fun-loving isn't great either. It is good that everyone counts.
February 20, 2013
I've always felt sort of bad for Grasshopper who was having a grand time, playing music, while stodgy Ant work work worked. But Aesop was a moralist. In this version, Ant appreciates Grasshopper's music and dance, envies him a bit and takes him in for the cold winter. Each has something the other appreciates. Maybe it appeals to my performing self. Part of the satisfaction lies in the fact that we're all partly Ant and partly Grasshopper. Wonderful illustrations by Giuliano Ferri enhance Luli Gray's telling of the story.
April 28, 2021
Ant has worked hard gathering his food for the winter and enjoys spending time counting and recounting his beans, raisins, corn, and peanuts. Grasshopper on the other hand spends his time playing his fiddle and singing. Don't expect an Aesop's ending in this updated folk tale that is sure to please reader's of all ages.
June 16, 2011
Great version of the story. 5 stars for the ant saying "Well I never!" and the grasshopper replying "Well I always!" the ending with a rousing rendition of "Here We Come a Waffling", and the touching message of everyone counts.
January 30, 2012
Ant and Grasshopper is a known story in America. This story is about an ant who spends the year stocking up on food for the winter, while the homeless grasshopper spends his time playing his fiddle. I liked this book because it had a good moral of helping others.
April 9, 2012
The hardworking ant scoffs at the fiddling grasshopper, but when winter approaches, he reconsiders the importance of entertainment. This tale shows readers that it takes all kinds of "work" to make the world go round.
December 22, 2011
Love this book---the colorful illustrations, the sweet moral of the story and the fun language. My favorite lines:
"Well, I never!" said Ant.
"Well, I always," said Grasshopper.
:)
"Well, I never!" said Ant.
"Well, I always," said Grasshopper.
:)
August 16, 2024
The classic Aesopian fable about the ant and the grasshopper is retold in a different way in this lovely picture book from America author Luli Gray and Italian illustrator Giuliano Ferri. While Ant collects and counts his foodstuffs, carefully preparing his stores for the winter ahead, Grasshopper sings, plays the fiddle and dances. When the snows arrive, Ant is warm and provided for in his cozy home, while Grasshopper is homeless and starving. It is then that Ant, who has always criticized Grasshopper for his careless ways, has a change of heart, taking his fellow creature in and caring for him...
Although I have encountered revisionist presentations of this fable before, in which the Grasshopper isn't punished for his "laziness," this Ant and Grasshopper might be my favorite of such retellings. I appreciated the fact that Ant isn't depicted as simply being compassionate or merciful, but rather, that he comes to have an appreciations for Grasshopper's contribution—for the joy and pleasure provided by his music. After all, being an artist has also been a job for many people, down through the centuries. I also greatly enjoyed the adaptation of the classic carol, Here We Come A-wassailing, that Ant and Grasshopper sing together at the end:
"Here we come a waffle-ing / With syrup and with jam, / Here we come to dance a jig, / And eat a lot of ham. / Pizza joy come to you, / Made of pickles, mice and glue, / And we wish you and squish you a happy New Year / And we wish you a happy New Year!"
Just hilarious! The accompanying artwork from Ferri, created in watercolor and colored pencil, is absolutely charming, with an appealing color palette, and expressive characters. Recommended to anyone looking for revisionist retellings of Aesopian fables, or fun stories to tell at New Years.
Although I have encountered revisionist presentations of this fable before, in which the Grasshopper isn't punished for his "laziness," this Ant and Grasshopper might be my favorite of such retellings. I appreciated the fact that Ant isn't depicted as simply being compassionate or merciful, but rather, that he comes to have an appreciations for Grasshopper's contribution—for the joy and pleasure provided by his music. After all, being an artist has also been a job for many people, down through the centuries. I also greatly enjoyed the adaptation of the classic carol, Here We Come A-wassailing, that Ant and Grasshopper sing together at the end:
"Here we come a waffle-ing / With syrup and with jam, / Here we come to dance a jig, / And eat a lot of ham. / Pizza joy come to you, / Made of pickles, mice and glue, / And we wish you and squish you a happy New Year / And we wish you a happy New Year!"
Just hilarious! The accompanying artwork from Ferri, created in watercolor and colored pencil, is absolutely charming, with an appealing color palette, and expressive characters. Recommended to anyone looking for revisionist retellings of Aesopian fables, or fun stories to tell at New Years.
July 28, 2024
I saw a lot of bad reviews on this, but the illustrations are awesome, and the story (and songs!) well told. I think people forget that books are for reading to and discussing with your children, not just handing to them. Your children will believe whatever you teach them a book means, and the author can’t possibly cover all the bases through his or her story alone.
It’s good to approach this story keeping in mind that in real life, grasshoppers don’t make homes for themselves the same way as ants, and they they don’t need to gather food for winter because what they eat isn’t available during winter. Comparisons between animals and people sometimes aren’t perfect. No guided child is going to dispute that 1) grasshopper wasn’t thinking carefully about his future, 2) ant was overly focused on saving, 3) ant learned kindness and the value of music, and 4) grasshopper learned politeness and the value of hard work. The point of this twist on Aesop’s fable is that every person has different talents, and every person has value, regardless of the type of talent—not that mooching is the way to play the game of life.
It’s good to approach this story keeping in mind that in real life, grasshoppers don’t make homes for themselves the same way as ants, and they they don’t need to gather food for winter because what they eat isn’t available during winter. Comparisons between animals and people sometimes aren’t perfect. No guided child is going to dispute that 1) grasshopper wasn’t thinking carefully about his future, 2) ant was overly focused on saving, 3) ant learned kindness and the value of music, and 4) grasshopper learned politeness and the value of hard work. The point of this twist on Aesop’s fable is that every person has different talents, and every person has value, regardless of the type of talent—not that mooching is the way to play the game of life.
October 11, 2018
A book I'd completely forgotten about until I started reading it to my son.
The Ant is meticulous is preparing for winter, counting his inventory everyday so he knows how much he has.
The Grasshopper loves to play music and doesn't spend any time worrying about gathering food for winter.
When winter does come, he asks Ant for help and Ant refuses, believing Grasshopper deserves his fate because he didn't try to get any food. After a while, Ant realizes he misses Grasshopper's music and decides to go looking for him. He finds Grasshopper half frozen in the snow and sick. He takes him in and nurses him back to health. For the rest of winter, Grasshopper plays his music and Ant shares his food, and decide to teach each other how to do what the other does best.
The Ant is meticulous is preparing for winter, counting his inventory everyday so he knows how much he has.
The Grasshopper loves to play music and doesn't spend any time worrying about gathering food for winter.
When winter does come, he asks Ant for help and Ant refuses, believing Grasshopper deserves his fate because he didn't try to get any food. After a while, Ant realizes he misses Grasshopper's music and decides to go looking for him. He finds Grasshopper half frozen in the snow and sick. He takes him in and nurses him back to health. For the rest of winter, Grasshopper plays his music and Ant shares his food, and decide to teach each other how to do what the other does best.
October 7, 2025
This book tells the story of Ant and Grasshopper, who have very different skills but end up needing each other to survive the winter. Ant is very serious and spends all summer stocking food, while the grasshopper is playing music and enjoying the sunshine. What will happen when it gets cold and grasshopper isn't ready for the winter, and Ant is lonely? This does a good job of showing readers that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, and by working together, you can be successful. This one would be good to keep on the shelf or to use as a read-aloud aloud especially when getting into group work.
February 10, 2025
The ant is a hoarder obsessed with counting his cache, who finds the grasshopper’s music distracting. By September he has put away “604 kernels of corn, 72 peanuts, and a piece of ham bigger than he was.” The miserly ant refuses the grasshopper’s request to share but later, on finding the grasshopper covered in snow, brings him inside and revives him with blankets and cider. The two confess to admiring each other’s musical and bookkeeping talents. The question remains: (when) is it ever wrong to refuse a request for help?
June 14, 2019
This book was a fun book to read. I liked how the story involves counting and work ethics. I think that this book would go nicely in a fables text set. I could use it to study the plot and themes of stories. As this story has been retold many times but still holds the same life lessons.
March 28, 2018
The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today
August 26, 2018
A twist on the traditional story. It shows that there are important things besides work and that music "counts".
September 23, 2018
Beautiful illustrations! A nice story about helping others.
December 31, 2018
Retelling of the popular folktale doesn't disappoint. Beautiful artwork and lively rhymes.
February 10, 2019
Enjoyed the classic story but REALLY liked the illustrations!
April 6, 2019
3.5 stars
The classic tale retold with a very warm style and tone!
The classic tale retold with a very warm style and tone!
May 1, 2019
The pizza they sing about at the end is so gross!
July 4, 2019
Counting, singing, friends
February 29, 2020
I liked that the focus of this was not laziness vs hard work, but instead on the fact that everyone has different talents and that what our talents are help each other out.
November 9, 2022
Great book that teaches mutual respect. No person is better than the other, we are all humans at the end of the day. This book is very kid friendly and has great illustrations to go with the text.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews