Ant Story

Through the lens of a charismatic cartoon ant born into a colony of realistically rendered leafcutter ants, biologist and cartoonist Hosler (The Way of the Hive) highlights entomological wonders and examines how humans seek to understand nature through storytelling in this informative and danger-filled graphic novel. As the only talking ant in the colony, Rubi passes the time in her subterranean agricultural palace by telling stories to silent worker ants chopping leaves for their fungus garden, a food source and larvae nursery. Seeking companionship, Rubi leaves the colony, only to face myriad perils. While under attack by a camouflaged lizard, Rubi saves Miranda, another talking insect. Together, the new friends flee the "death tongue," avoid unfriendly ants, and fall into an antlion's trap. When Rubi discovers that Miranda may be a phorid, an insect that lays its egg inside an ant's head, she must decide if she can risk remaining friends with her species's mortal enemy. Vibrant drawings and Hosler's enthusiasm and knowledge of the natural world combine to form this cheerfully gross depiction of how ants feed and incubate larvae, preserve food, or become food sources themselves, with poop playing a pivotal role in many of Rubi's activities. Ages 8-12. Agent: Judith Hansen, Hansen Literary Management. (Mar.) ■

"Graphic novel fans, lovers of nonfiction, budding ecologists, and readers looking for their next great obsession will be buzzing around this title for years to come." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Vivid colors and playful use of varying perspectives and panel sizes work well to convey both tension and exuberance. Readers who never gave much thought to what is going on under their feet will likely want to get down low and observe some ants at work, and if it makes them be a little more careful with insect lives and natural habitats, so much the better." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books