From the same author as Clan Apis. This one is, of course, about ants. The odd thing is, the main character is drawn in a cartoon style, while all the other insects are drawn a bit more realistically- and the cartoon ant can talk, but the others don’t. So he’s lonely and tells stories to himself (and the reader) until makes a very unexpected new friend. Another cartoon insect, who can also talk (whyyy?) Now he can tell all his stories (explaining things around him, mostly about types of ants and other insects) to his new friend while they try to survive the dangers of the outside world and find a safe haven. At first they’re trying to make it back to the ant nest, but then plans (dramatically!) change and they try to find an abandoned (‘haunted’ says the ant) beehive, and when that doesn’t work out, make plans to explore further. Maybe there’ll be a sequel? I liked the story, it was fun and surprising and taught me stuff about insects, I just don’t get why the one character was in a different drawing style and addressing the reader so much. Kind of like in the Wild Mustang book, but this one was done much better IMHO. And the way the ant character talked, with his wild adventure stories and drama, reminded me of Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes . . .
Well, this ant book touches on so many things! Different species of ants and how they live- leaf-cutter ants, army ants, weaver ants, turtle ants, exploding ants (!! I didn’t know this was a thing)! And other insects: antlions, phorid flies, assassin bugs, stick insects, beetles wasps, etc. And the dangers they face: birds, spiders, chameleons, anteaters, etc. And more that I’m probably forgetting about. All in a quick-moving, lively story about friendship and acceptance, and seeing the benefits in all the creatures. Even if some of them do awful things like eat feces, infest other insects’ brains or guts, dismember their enemies, and so on. Rather eye-opening, if you haven’t read much about the life habits of insects before. At least this book is written for a kid audience, so it doesn’t include any of the weird, strange (and gross to us) ways that insects go about procreation.
Borrowed from the public library.
