Author: Retold by Amy Lowry Poole
Title: The Ant and the Grasshopper
Publishing Info: Holiday House
Pages: 29
Summary: This story was based on an Aesop fable, but is set in ancient China. It describes the accounts of a carefree grasshopper and a hardworking group of ants. While the grasshopper chooses to have fun, enjoying the summer, the ants diligently prepare for the approaching winter. As the cold weather arrives, the grasshopper realizes his mistakes. This is a rather quick fable, but has great moral substance. This rendition of the classic also exposes students to elements of Eastern culture.
Personal rating: ****
Rationale: Well-written; great cultural illustrations; retains moral value of the original tale
Reading level: 3.6 Interest level: 2nd-5th
Thematic Areas: Friendship; teamwork; values; reversal of fortune
Content Areas: Philosophy; science; history
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Foreign cultural elements may be unclear for some students
Possible use in classroom: Use in science unit about insects; read aloud to class and discuss its moral values; have students re-write their own version of the story, independently or in small groups; create a “picture illustration page” of the events occurring in the fable
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