Ant Party

Ant Party

Ross Montgomery

Sarah Warburton

Walker Books, 2026

40pp., hbk., RRP $A27.99

9781529509144

It’s Andy the Ant’s birthday today and he decides to have a party… but just one for his friends and neighbours because his house is too small for a large gathering. “just dancing and dips,” he says. But the neighbours felt awkward because they didn’t have any food to share so they invited the farmer ants who told the worker ants who told the…

But even though it turns into so much more than Andy anticipated, it still goes well until an unexpected, uninvited and unwelcome gate-crasher arrives..,.

From the get-go, the endpapers invite young readers into this story as they are taken into the underground world of the anthill and its inhabitants and the vibrant illustrations -both full-page and vignette – offer much to discover and discuss as they relate to the preparations that go into holding a party and the ramifications of thinking “just a few more” won’t make a difference.  But its power lies in the message of friendship, teamwork, and co-operation as the guests work together to deal with the gate-crasher.  While the illustrations are very bright and busy with all their detail, Andy is portrayed as the only turquoise ant in the colony so sharp eyes will have fun looking for him amongst all the activity. 

Others might like to consider whether this is a story based in Australia, seeking familiar images, and if they decide it’s not, investigate where it could be set.  Hint: where might the gate-crasher come from? And that could lead to thinking about whether Australia has a similar creature that could spoil an ant’s birthday party…

Light-hearted and fun.