Ant and Honey Bee (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

Megan McDonald is the author of the popular Judy Moody series, the Beezy series, and many more children's books. She grew up with four older sisters, so hand-me-down clothes were common. "One year," she says, "my mother made pilgrim costumes for all of us at Halloween. I was youngest, so when I outgrew one pilgrim costume, there was always another to take its place. Believe it or not, some of those costumes are still around, and an entirely new generation is wearing them!"

G. Brian Karas has illustrated more than sixty-five children's picture books since 1983, including THE BONE KEEPER by Megan McDonald. He has written and illustrated three titles of his own, one of which, HOME ON THE BAYOU, was a 1997 BOSTON GLOBE--HORN BOOK Honor winner.

PreS-Gr. 2. Determined not to dress up as pilgrims again for Cricket's annual costume party, Ant and Honey Bee consider a number of unusual ideas (pear and stem, peanut butter and jelly, toilet paper and toilet) before deciding to go as a washer and dryer. As they walk to the party, rain turns their boxy costumes to "soggy blobs of wet cardboard," but quick-witted Honey Bee and Ant have an answer for everything, including that pesky "What are you?" query. Childlike and sympathetic, the characters' antics and conversations will have broad appeal. Karas' expressive pencil drawings, colored with gouache and acrylic paints, have a fresh, slightly quirky look that is sure to draw an audience. Most second-graders will be able to read the simple words, but even prereaders will enjoy the gentle, droll humor that infuses both text and illustrations. A pleasing story with series potential. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved