One of the best things we can do for our children is to read to them. Read to them every day from the moment they are born till they leave home. I try to read to Peyton every day. And when I’m choosing a book to read to her I try to find books with lessons in the story. That way, we can talk about the lesson after the story is done. Little Ant is a series of books written by S.M.R. Saia and available on Amazon. Currently, there are 6 titles available with one more coming out this week! And in each story, there’s a lesson to be learned.
Little Ant and the Butterfly – Book 1
This is where we first meet Little Ant, and he doesn’t seem to be too nice! Saia has taken the classic Aesop’s fable, “The Ant and the Chrysalis” and put it in a kid-friendly format for little ones to relate to.
Little Ant seems to think he is the best and that no one is better. So when he meets a caterpillar he’s pretty rude to her. Little Ant pretty much dismisses Caterpillar and is not very nice. Little Ant is frustrated because Caterpillar is slow and he doesn’t have time for that!
But in the end, Caterpillar turns into a beautiful Butterfly. Ant learns not to judge someone on appearances and that things may not always be what they appear.
ittle Ant Goes to a Picnic – Book 2
When we catch up to Little Ant he’s heading to a picnic to show everyone that he can bring back crumbs like the rest of them. He’s tired of not being able to help out. So he leaves the trail and sets out on his own to find the biggest crumb he can to bring back with him. But instead of bringing back a huge crumb Little Ant barely escapes the picnic with his life!
The other ants are not impressed. In fact, Little Ant is sent back home and told to be careful on stay on the path, he is not ready to bring home crumbs with the rest of them.
In this story, kids learn to look before they leap. For example, when Little Ant left the trail he didn’t leave any markers. He had no idea or way to get back to the group. He also is not being very aware of what is around him and ends up climbing on a human! A human that then flicks him across the picnic and into the grass. That’s the equivalent of a child running out in a parking lot without looking. Great talking points in this book that little ones can relate to their lives too.
Little Ant and the Cricket – Book 3
This is a tough one for kids to learn, you can’t please everyone. In this book, Little Ant is trying to gain the approval of the crickets. It all starts when Little Ant is carrying a blueberry home and comes across the Cricket. He makes a comment that ants don’t know how to have fun. This drives Little Ant crazy.
So, the next day when Little Ant sees the Cricket he tells him ants do know how to have fun. And Little Ant shows Cricket how he can party and be social. But while Little Ant is doing all this he can’t keep up with what really makes him happy. At the same time he doesn’t want to stop hanging out with Cricket and all the other insects because they really like him. He wants everyone to like him! Even though he is miserable and wants his routine back.
This is a big lesson for little ones to learn. You can’t pretend to be someone you’re not. And if they are truly your friend they wouldn’t want or expect you to.
Little Ant’s Valentine – Book 4
From the first three books, we have seen that Little Ant is pretty full of himself. He likes to brag and he is not always the nicest. And in book 4, Little Ant’s Valentine, all his bad behaviors catch up to him. No one wants to give him a Valentine! That really hurts Little Ants feelings, but he doesn’t show it, he just keeps going out to gather food.
But while Little Ant is out gathering food he runs into an ant that he has never seen before, Pretty Ant. Oh boy does he think she’s pretty! But when he goes to talk to her she’s pretty rude. In fact, Pretty Ant reminds Little Ant of himself. A lot!
Little Ant’s Valentine shows us that no matter how flawed we are someone will love us. And that’s just what happens for Little Ant.
Little Ant and the Dove – Book 5
Little Ant is back at it, gathering food when he comes across his insect friends. They are all telling stories about why birds don’t like to eat them or how they stay away from birds so they don’t get eaten. When the group breaks up, Little Ant and the stick insect head off to find a huge black-eyed pea. When the weaval asks Little Ant for help he dismisses him and says he’s too busy.
By the end of the story, Little Ant learns that he should help others so that when he is in need of help they will help him.
Little Ant and the Peanut – Book 6
Little Ant sets out to find food to contribute to the stockpile but he gets in a little over his head. He ends up going farther than he thought and when he arrives, the peanut is much larger than he imagined. The peanut is much much too big for Little Ant to move on his own. He’s not sure what he’s going to do!
Then, out of nowhere, the other ants arrive! And together, they are able to move the peanut back to the food storage.
We learn that alone we may not be able to accomplish something, but when we work together we are much stronger and can accomplish anything.
All of the books are filled with lessons that little ones will learn through the stories. It also gives you are great starting point for having conversations after you read the book together.
All the books are available in paperback or digital.
Rebecca Foughty says
These books look perfect for my little granddaughter, who needs a little guidance in her life.
Tomi C says
What an awesome giveaway! The Little Ant books look like something our kids would enjoy and I love that it teaches lessons about morals. Thanks again for the giveaway! Good luck everyone.
Helen says
I love the cute little pictures and thew messages that these books give to my kids.
jennifer bowen says
little ant books are really nice they help children learn things
Lucy Rapposelli says
These are Great
Emily Conway says
I need to enjoy reading to my son again. We have both started to get very bored with our current selecton and we need something new. This could be it!
Gabrielly says
The illustrations are great. I love the books.