A first-time author and illustrator are off to an impressive start in this spirited story, whose message might well be ``divide and conquer.'' Pinczes's bouncy rhymed verse introduces 100 ants marching in single file en route to a picnic, where ``There'll be lots of yummies / for our hungry tummies, / A hey and a hi dee ho!'' But the littlest ant decides they're moving too slowly, and suggests a new formation--``with 2 lines of 50 / we'd get there soon, I know.'' But not, however, soon enough: as he spies other animals scurrying by with food, he fears there will be nothing left to eat. Hoping to speed the pace, he directs his fellow marchers to break into four columns of 25; then five rows of 20; and finally 10 lines of 10. The subliminal math lesson is a bonus for youngsters at the older edge of the intended audience, while readers of any age will relish the unexpected ending. Reminiscent of woodblocks, MacKain's illustrations work superbly on a child's level--the unexpected pairing of sophisticated art and lighthearted text lends this book particular distinction. The comical facial expressions of these ravenous creatures, rendered in unusual and subtle hues, reinforce the tale's winning drollery. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)
A rhyming text describes the progress of one hundred ants marching toward a picnic. To travel faster, one ant suggests dividing into two lines of fifty, then four lines of twenty-five, and finally ten lines of ten. Their frantic reorganization takes so long that the picnic is gone by the time they arrive. The illustrations, which look like linoleum cuts, use a pleasing palette and energetic lines to depict ants with highly individual characters. Horn Book
"A first-time author and illustrator are off to an impressive start in this spirited story . . . The unexpected pairing of sophisticated art and light-hearted text lends this book particular distinction." Publishers Weekly
Already own this item? Sell Yours and earn some cash.
It's fast and free to list! (Learn More.)
Reviews
–
This story reads really well with nice rhymes. The little ants are on a quest for a picnic, but discover that spending too much time organizing can result in not getting the product!
It's very good as an introduction to division and multiplication, since the ants regroup to form shorter lines.
This book was sent home with 100 unifex cubes to use along with the book. We used the cubes as the ants. We started off with one line of 100 cubes (as the ants). Then, in the story, they split into 2 lines of 50, so we split our cubes, too. Then, 4 lines of 25, and so on.... Excellent book to use with the cubes to demonstract how many different ways to make 100.
Fantastic for looking at arrays, division and multiplication of 100. Can be easily adapted for all grades/year levels. My students enjoyed choosing their own number and figuring out how many different ways the ants could march, as well as trying to determine which way would get them to the picnic the fastest!
I would strongly recommend this book for classroom teacher and parents with mathematically inquisitive children!
Excellent book to introduce the flexibility of numbers, sharing (early division)and develop reasoning and problem solving around number. The story is fun and easy to read. It has a repetitive pattern that my class of 7 and 8 year olds caught onto very quickly.
We followed up the reading with an activity where we copied the rearrangement of ants with counters and the kids had a lot of fun!
My 5 yr old great-nephew Harry is a biological genius who is wildly enthusiastic about entomology and related things. With his younger brother Sam, they like to explore everything but know not to touch, which is a good idea when poking around at the large window-spider's nest under the edge of their balcony, to see if it can be persuaded to emerge. This will spark his interest specifically in ants. Great book.
You can earn a 5% commission by selling One Hundred Hungry Ants paperback book on your website. It's easy to get started - we will give you example code. After you're set-up, your website can earn you money while you work, play or even sleep!
Authors/Publishers
Are you the Author/Publisher? Improve sales by submitting additional information on this title.
This item ships from and is sold by Fishpond.com, Inc.
Help
My Cart
Ships within 24 hours from USA supplier
– 