Story Time with Sara: Hey, Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose

 

Hey, Little Ant 
written by Phillip and Hannah Hoose
published by Tricycle Press, 1998

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Book Depository, Goodreads

Did I enjoy this book: I have a love/hate relationship with this one. My kid loves it, but dear god the song gets stuck in my head for DAYS at a time. This fun little story brings up an interesting topic about whether ants deserve to be stepped on just because they’re smaller than us. Right now my three-year-old is of the opinion that all bugs should be squished because squishing bugs is funny. <sigh> We’re working on it.

After reading the whole way through the book the first time, I discovered the last page has the music for the song . . . turns out this book actually IS a song! Who knew? I spent the next two hours (trying to remember how to read music and) plunking out the melody on the tiny toy piano in my living room. For my boys. Because I’m the best mom in the universe.

Now every time we “read” this book we sing it, which would be fine except it’s the grand master of all ear worms . . .

Would I recommend it: Sure, go ahead! Just be prepared to have this cute (and slightly annoying after oh, the 300th time or so) jingle stuck in your head for the rest of your life.

Alternatively, you could just lie to your children about your ability to read music, which in my case wouldn’t have been that far off. My elementary school band teacher would be so ashamed . . . =(

About the book – from Goodreads: What would you do if the ant you were about to step on looked up and started talking? Would you stop and listen? What if your friends saw you hesitate? That’s what happens in this funny, thought-provoking book. Originally a song by a father-daughter team, this conversation between two creatures, large and small, is bound to inspire important discussions. It might even answer that classic childhood question: To squish or not to squish?