Hey Little Ant

By Phillip M. Hoose, Hannah Hoose, Debbie Tilley

An ant begs a child to reconsider squishing it.

4.9/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,608 ratings

32 pages· 342 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

A little girl faces a dilemma when an ant she’s about to squish starts talking. This unexpected conversation challenges her to think about compassion and respect for all creatures. Will she listen to the ant's plea and change her perspective? This humorous and thought-provoking tale encourages young readers to reflect on kindness and empathy, sparking discussions about how we treat the world around us. Perfect for Earth Day and beyond, this story invites children to consider the impact of their actions on even the smallest of beings.

From the publisher

A song in which an ant pleads with the kid who is tempted to squish it.

Awards

Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (1999)

At a glance

Format
Pages: 32
Words: 342
Reading age: 3–7
Audience: Picture
Lexile: ~348L

Themes & topics

Books about ants Books about songs Books about empathy Books about bugs and insects Books about social themes

What readers & critics say

Reviews

4.9

out of 7

4.0

“This book definitely makes you think from a different perspective (that of an ant!), but I didn't love the illustrations and the book felt a bit moralizing to me. This one is probably worth hauling out for a lesson on empathy, but I would prefer not to read it very often.”

Marmee

Trusted reviewer

For readers who can't stop at one