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belgatherial's review against another edition
3.0
Cute, but I twitch a bit at the whole "don't step out of line, or there will be DANGER EVERYWHERE" message going on.
amysutton's review against another edition
5.0
Great book for discussing visualizing and predictions.
ajmarquis's review against another edition
4.0
I don't have many books to read to my girlfriend's three year old. This is because most authors seem to target small children by simply writing for stupid people, and tiny people are different from stupid people in a whole bunch of ways. Tiny people have no strong opinions on the estate tax, for example.
The story is simple enough for a toddler to wrap their head around but the author doesn't walk you through it as though you've a traumatic head injury. It's enjoyable to watch a toddler wrap their head around the fact that the story is told from the ants' perspective and that the ants don't have an understanding of human buildings, tools, and appliances. He'll scoot up to me and whisper (so the ants don't hear), "They don't know that that's not a cave, that's a mouth!" This is not a moment you get to experience when reading an Elmo book.
I do have to note that I think as a parable the story doesn't work for any age. Both the three year old and I agree on this: the ants' bad decision led to an awesome adventure with no lasting consequence.
"Two Bad Ants?" More like "Two Rad Ants."
The story is simple enough for a toddler to wrap their head around but the author doesn't walk you through it as though you've a traumatic head injury. It's enjoyable to watch a toddler wrap their head around the fact that the story is told from the ants' perspective and that the ants don't have an understanding of human buildings, tools, and appliances. He'll scoot up to me and whisper (so the ants don't hear), "They don't know that that's not a cave, that's a mouth!" This is not a moment you get to experience when reading an Elmo book.
I do have to note that I think as a parable the story doesn't work for any age. Both the three year old and I agree on this: the ants' bad decision led to an awesome adventure with no lasting consequence.
"Two Bad Ants?" More like "Two Rad Ants."
calamitymane's review against another edition
2.0
I know, I know... I'm supposed to adore this book, but I don't. I can't.
Van Allsburg's book always have an element of fantasy to them, but this was a stretch too far. "Zarthura" was more believable.
One reviewer LOVED this book because, for them, the message was "great" - the only way to be "truly happy" and "safe" is to be at home with mother, who loves you. What a load of old codswallop!
What message does this book send to children - stay in your place in line, never seek adventure (or you'll be the worse for it), the world is all danger and near-misses, if you sleep long enough salvation will come right to you?! I'd like to think it's something better - maybe, "don't be greedy"? I don't know. I just didn't get that from this book.
I'm a huge Van Allsburg fan, but, Caldecott Award or no, this is my least favourite of his books.
Van Allsburg's book always have an element of fantasy to them, but this was a stretch too far. "Zarthura" was more believable.
One reviewer LOVED this book because, for them, the message was "great" - the only way to be "truly happy" and "safe" is to be at home with mother, who loves you. What a load of old codswallop!
What message does this book send to children - stay in your place in line, never seek adventure (or you'll be the worse for it), the world is all danger and near-misses, if you sleep long enough salvation will come right to you?! I'd like to think it's something better - maybe, "don't be greedy"? I don't know. I just didn't get that from this book.
I'm a huge Van Allsburg fan, but, Caldecott Award or no, this is my least favourite of his books.
libraryrobin's review against another edition
3.0
Not as sophisticated in story and illustration as other Van Allsurg titles but still enjoyable.
curly_and_caffeinated007's review against another edition
5.0
I use this book for teaching the inference skill in my 5th grade class. The students love it.
emiged's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting, geometric illustrations from an ant's perspective, but what lesson are kids supposed to learn from this story? Stick with the crowd, don't rock the boat, conform - because trying something new is dangerous? Curiosity killed the cat (or almost killed the ants, I guess)?
I think I'd probably notice two ants swimming in a cup of something I was drinking. And does anyone think ants really would have survived the toaster? Mr. Van Allsburg needs to review his basic science about electricity...nothing would have happened to the ants unless they had touched both poles inside the socket, which they are really too small to do.
Cute idea, but the execution was more than a little lacking.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
I think I'd probably notice two ants swimming in a cup of something I was drinking. And does anyone think ants really would have survived the toaster? Mr. Van Allsburg needs to review his basic science about electricity...nothing would have happened to the ants unless they had touched both poles inside the socket, which they are really too small to do.
Cute idea, but the execution was more than a little lacking.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Inventive tale which narrates the harrowing plight of two ants who don't return to their anthill after a foraging expedition.
calistareads's review against another edition
4.0
This is a cute story from an ants perspective. The ants go looking for food in a human’s house and 2 ants decide to explore for the adventure of their lives.
The kids loved this book. They loved seeing and thinking about their home and world through the lens of an ant. It was a great exercise for them. The nephew giggled and giggled when the ant in the coffee was almost drank. He kept saying what things really were. They loved it. That new perspective worked well for them as a surprise element.
The niece gave this 4 stars and the nephew gave this 5 stars.
The kids loved this book. They loved seeing and thinking about their home and world through the lens of an ant. It was a great exercise for them. The nephew giggled and giggled when the ant in the coffee was almost drank. He kept saying what things really were. They loved it. That new perspective worked well for them as a surprise element.
The niece gave this 4 stars and the nephew gave this 5 stars.