The Grasshopper & the Ants - by Jerry Pinkney (Hardcover)

About the Book

In this retelling of the classic Aesop fable, hardworking ants stock up for the winter while a fun-loving grasshopper plays all year long, until the cold weather arrives and he realizes his mistake in not planning ahead.

Book Synopsis

This magnificent rendition of a classic Aesop fable by a Caldecott Medal-winning artist teaches children: Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today! In this stunning companion to the Caldecott Medal-winning The Lion & the Mouse and the highly acclaimed The Tortoise & the Hare, a playful grasshopper wonders why the busy ants around him won't join in his merrymaking as the seasons pass by. But when winter arrives, he soon sees the value of his friends' hard work--just as the ants learn the value of sharing what they've worked for. Featuring a striking, surprise gatefold page, this third book in Jerry Pinkney's gorgeous trilogy of picture book fables subtly shows the pitfalls of procrastination. Don't miss these other classic retellings by Jerry Pinkney:
The Little MermaidThe Lion & the MouseThe Tortoise & the HareThe Three Billy Goats GruffLittle Red Riding Hood
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Review Quotes

Praise for The Grasshopper & The Ants: A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2015A Bank Street College Distinguished Children's Book A 2015 NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing Book
*"Full-page vivid watercolor paintings bustling with natural activity and fanciful detail flow through the hues of the seasons, ending in the spare whiteness of winter....A lively and engaging version of a favorite Aesop fable."--School Library Journal, starred review

*"From an unparalleled artist, another brilliant work."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

*"Pinkney suggests that the world is better when everyone can follow his or her own gifts."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Luckily the master fairy tale and fable adapter Jerry Pinkney... has come to our rescue again.... What [he] delivers is a new classic."--Boston Globe

"Pinkney creates another visually stunning re-telling of a fable.... Beautifully detailed and expressive watercolor drawings."--School Library Connection

"Pinkney's woodland scenes, in his signature style, teem with recognizable flora, insects, and seasonal activity...none of it to be missed."--Horn Book

"The incomparable Pinkney... again turns an Aesop fable into a tale of great beauty and moral complexity. In... stunningly detailed watercolors, it's a celebration of both productivity and art, and a call for generosity toward the down and out."--The New York Times

About the Author

Jerry Pinkney is one of the most heralded children's book illustrators of all time. He has the rare distinction of being the recipient of five Caldecott Honors and the winner of the 2010 Caldecott medal for The Lion and the Mouse. He has published numerous reimagined classic tales, including The Little Mermaid, The Tortoise & the Hare, The Grasshopper & the Ants, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Little Red Riding Hood, and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. He has won the Coretta Scott King Award five times, the Coretta Scott King Honor four times, and has been nominated for the prestigious Hans Christian Anderson Award. He was also the first children's book illustrator elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He lives with his wife, author Gloria Jean Pinkney, in Croton-on-Hudson, New York. The artist invites you to visit his website at jerrypinkneystudio.com.