Willy, the Champion Ant

Jean Free, a library consultant, is a retired public-school teacher and
librarian in Whitby, Ontario.

Paul’s pet black ant is lost when Tasha, his younger sister, leaves
the lid off Willy’s jar. After an extensive search by neighborhood
friends, Tasha finds an ant she thinks is Willy, even though it is
brown. Out of kindness Paul accepts this ant as his lost pet and Tasha
is no longer upset.

This is a story of a loving sibling relationship, about caring for a
younger family member and being part of a warm family. Colorful
full-page paintings complement and interpret the text, which is suitable
for 3- to 7-year-olds. The book reads aloud well and deals with a
problem in sibling relationships to which young children could relate.

Nursery-school or primary-grade teachers could use this book to
initiate classroom discussion about relationships and solving
confrontations. Its simple message of love and thoughtfulness in
understanding another’s feelings would encourage children to be more
mature.