Ant and Honey Bee: A Pair of Friends in Winter (Candlewick Readers)

by Megan McDonald (Author) G Brian Karas (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

The funny, endearing insect pals find a way to be more than fair-weather friends in a second early chapter book from Megan McDonald and G. Brian Karas.

Brrrr! The leaves are off the trees, and frost is on the ground. It's time for bugs to hunker down and hide out for the winter. But Ant isn't ready to hunker down. Ant isn't ready to be all by herself for months on end. The thought of a long chilly season without her best friend, Honey Bee, is enough to make Ant shiver with dread. Can Ant brave the cold for one last surprise visit before the snow flies? And will Honey Bee welcome an interruption of her peace and quiet?

The author of the Judy Moody series teams up again with award-winning illustrator G. Brian Karas to show that true friends can weather whatever comes their way -- even if one is feeling antsy and the other has blissful hibernation in mind.

Select format:
Hardcover
$14.99

Find books about:

Kirkus

Sure to give recent Henry & Mudge grads a happy buzz.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3--It's getting chilly out, and Ant and Honey Bee are settling in for hibernation. But Ant isn't ready to be alone; she braves the cold to visit her pal one last time. Honey Bee is grumpy and resists all of Ant's attempts to cheer her. Eventually, Ant coaxes Honey Bee out of her bad mood as they fix a sandwich with all of the food in the hive. The two buddies then cuddle together for their long winter's nap. This story of friendship is full of puns that will make readers chuckle. The gouache, acrylic, and pencil illustrations add details for children to find (e.g., Bee's newspaper warns of "Killer Bee Attack"). The large font and simple, sometimes repetitive, words ("Ant looked out the window. Gray clouds. Gray sky. Gray trees. Gray earth.") will allow beginning readers to read the story on their own, but it is complex enough for stronger readers to feel accomplished. A solid addition to early chapter-book collections.--Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Ft. Thomas, KY

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

ALA/Booklist

Satisfying fare for young readers. Grades K-2. --Carolyn Phelan

Review quotes

"Childlike and sympathetic, the characters' antics and conversations will have broad appeal." — BOOKLIST — Quote

"Filled with puns and lighthearted jokes. . . .Children will enjoy reading about how friendships can help them to survive any disaster." — SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL — Quote
Megan McDonald
Megan McDonald is the award-winning author of all the Judy Moody and Stink books. She is also the author of Ant and Honey Bee, illustrated by Brian Karas. She lives in Sebastopol, California.

Peter H. Reynolds is the illustrator of the Judy Moody and Stink books and the author-illustrator of The Dot, Ish, So Few of Me, The North Star, and Rose's Garden. He lives in Dedham, Massachusetts.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780763657123
Lexile Measure
480
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Candlewick Press (MA)
Publication date
October 08, 2013
Series
Candlewick Readers
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV002140 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Insects, Spiders, etc.
JUV044000 - Juvenile Fiction | Readers | Intermediate
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Friendship in children
Winter
Ants
Honeybee
Bees

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!