Alice and Gert: An Ant and Grasshopper story by Helaine Becker illustrated by Dena Seiferling

The storyline is quiet, but it is sound and solid, and while the narrative speaks linearly, the whimsical illustrations round out the story with depth and nuance. The ant and the grasshopper are softly rendered and oh-so-subtly animated (most especially by the engaging luminosity in their big bug eyes), and insects never looked so cuddly. The soft, pale, earth-toned palette is as easy on the eyes as the gentle story is on the mind. Graceful, kind, and altogether soothing. Kirkus

Alice is the ant; Gert is the grasshopper. Alice is a worker. It is a hot summer, but she is preparing for the winter which is coming very soon. Gert is a dreamer and composer. She spends her days singing and relaxing and cannot understand why Alice is working so hard. Then of course winter arrives and this is where the story becomes a dilemma for the reader and for Alice. Gert has done nothing to prepare for the cold and lack of food over the coming months and so she might starve BUT Alice is kind and compassionate and is able to see Gert has actually helped in her own special way.

"Perhaps you should have planned better,' said Alice. 'Instead, you sang and danced through the long hard days of summer.' ... 'But ... your (songs) lightened my load, and now it's time for me to repay your kindness. I've collected enough food to last the winter - for both of us."

It is so important to share Aesop Fables with children in your library, classroom and home. AND there are so many fantastic versions to use with truly special illustrations. Dena Seiferling creates beautiful pages in this book:

Her illustrations are as classic as the fable, having used her pencil to create profound scenes that are steeped in atmosphere and characters evocative with feeling. From the dramatic Gert who never looks silly as she enjoys her creative pursuits to the tireless Alice who takes the time, amidst her work, to feel, Dena Seiferling makes us appreciate the depth of the story through her characters and the setting. Can Lit for Little Canadians

Here are a couple of other versions of The Ant and the Grasshopper:

Amy Lowry Poole

Jerry Pinkney

Ed Emberley

In the library where I volunteer each week the most recent book display showcased the Aesop Fables held in the collection. As I was reshelving these to make way for the new display (Yarn Yarns knitting in picture books) I stumbled upon Alice and Gert and on the cover I saw the name Dena Seiferling. Over the last eight years my field knowledge of international illustrators has grown exponentially thanks to this fantastic library where I am so privileged to work each week. I previously loved art by Dena Seiferling in these two books:

Night Lunch

King Mouse

Dena Seiferling is a Canadian illustrator and instructor at AuArts, Alberta. Her illustrations are characterised by a love for animals and nature, and she works with a variety of mediums including drawing with graphite and needle-felted sculpture. She has won the Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year Award from the New York Times and New York Public Library for Night Lunch, written by Eric Fan. She is the illustrator of King Mouse by Cary Fagan and illustrated for Joseph Coelho’s Ten-Word Tiny Tales.

Dean Seiferling's newest book is Things I learned from my Dog (due out this year). I am very keen to find this book from 2022:

The Ant and the Grasshopper retold by Rebecca and Ed Emberley

There are many versions of this famous fable. In some the ant is the hero - rewarded for his hard work preparing for winter. In other versions the ant is seen as selfish and mean when he refuses to help the grasshopper now that winter has arrived. In this version there is a beautiful compromise. The ant has been busy collecting food for his colony. He has stopped to listen to the beautiful music which is being played by the grasshopper and his band. The ant tells the grasshopper how the music has lifted his heart and so the grasshopper suggests the band could hit the road and walk back to the colony. "The ant was home in no time, hardly noticing the heat or the heaviness of her load. ... "How can I ever repay you?"  The solution - sharing the ant's cool underground home - let the good times roll!

This book epitomizes why I adore children's books especially picture books. Huge thanks go to my friend who loaned me this book from her brilliant library. Take a look at her Aesop Pinterest.  I almost need to quote every line of text to show you the lyricism of the language, the richness of the vocabulary and the carefully crafted word placement.

Here are some text examples:

"Somewhere on the boulevard of backyards an ant was struggling with the remnants of a picnic."

Have you noticed all the delicious words here - boulevard, remnants, picnic!
Have you notice the alliteration - boulevard of backyards.

"The work was hard and she was weary. With a heavy sigh, she persevered, though each blade of grass seemed to thwart her on this hot and humid day."

You need to see the illustration to discover what the ant has found left over from the picnic - a huge slice of watermelon.
Once again we have some truly delicious words - weary, persevered, thwart
And alliteration - hot and humid

Here is the web site for Rebecca Emberley and a video showing her father Ed Emberley creating his work.

I would pair this fable with these:

I would love to find the version by Janosch - The Fiddle Cricket and the Mole.  Here is the cricket playing his music:

Here are two other Aesop fables by Rebecca and Ed:

In my very first school library (Finley Public School) the Kindergarten teacher loved to use a book illustrated by Ed Emberley - Drummer Hoff (1967) and yes it is still in print. Ed Emberley's first book was The Wing on a Flea (1961).

Bring me a rock! by Daniel Miyares

This is another one of those deceptively simply picture books which you could read to a young child or use as a discussion starter with a group of older students.

King Grasshopper demands his 'subjects' bring him a rock. He has plans to stand on a tower and exert his authority. Everyone complies even the smallest beetle who brings the heaviest 'rock' he can carry. The Grasshopper King is furious. This so called 'rock' is just a pebble. He sends the beetle away.

His tower is now tall and commanding but it is also very unstable. The Grasshopper King cries out in alarm. The tower is about to topple over. Luckily for the grasshopper,  that little beetle has hung around.  "I have an idea!".  He slips his pebble into exactly the right spot at the bottom of the tower of rocks and saves the King.

This is the point in the story where I would stop with an older group and talk about character and plot decisions.  How will the Grasshopper King react?  How should the Grasshopper King react? Who made him the King? How would you feel right now if you were the beetle?   What about his 'subjects'?

Now I will share how Daniel Miyares continues his story. Here is the dialogue between the Grasshopper King and the humble beetle:

King - "You saved my life! However can I repay you?"
Beetle - "Bring me those rocks!"

Are you thinking the beetle has plans to build himself a tower and claim the throne? The next, wordless page may surprise your readers. We see the beetle has organised the building of  seven towers all of equal height (think about why that is interesting and perhaps important) and all seven of the insects (formerly subjects) climb to the top of their own tower.

As for the Grasshopper King - well I can only say his face says it all - he is not at all happy!

This is an expensive picture book here in Australia and it is not available in paperback but I did find an ebook edition on the publisher web site. I think this book would be a splendid addition to a Primary school library. It only contains 70 words but, like all good fables, it contains a story with a powerful universal message. The illustrations remind me of Eric Carle. An art teacher could use these illustrations as a basis for some very creative work with students.

Beautifully executed art, expressive bugs, and spare but pointed—arguably Marxist—text create a tale for all ages. 
Kirkus Star review


Here are some other books by Daniel Miyares: