Alice and Gert

Helaine Becker

Dena Seiferling

It’s high summer in the meadow where Alice the ant and Gert the grasshopper live. Alice is hard at work preparing for winter, harvesting heavy loads of seeds. Meanwhile, Gert prefers to play, since winter is ages away. Gert dances through the long days of summer, singing, performing, and creating art out of flowers and leaves. Alice tries to convince Gert to work, but Gert wants to have fun—and to entertain Alice, too! She hates to see Alice work so hard.

When winter arrives, Gert’s nest is cold and her food supplies are low. But rather than refusing to share, Alice acknowledges the value of Gert’s work and the beauty of the art that lightened her load. Alice repays Gert’s kindness by sharing her hard-won food.

Based on the classic story of the ant and grasshopper, this is a modern fable with a heartwarming twist that values diverse contributions and honors friendship and the power of art. Helaine Becker, Dena Seiferling
Regular price $19.95 CAD
Regular price Sale price $19.95 CAD

SKU: 206151n0nn1nWWW | ISBN: 9781771473583

"Graceful, kind, and altogether soothing." - Kirkus Reviews

"The story makes for an ideal read aloud with young children... As the story is a fresh take on a traditional fable, it ends with a subtle moral about kindness, hard work, and friendship. The book also celebrates diversity and recognizes that each individual possesses something of value." - Canadian Review of Materials

"Beautifully illustrated... this retelling retains the original story, but it feels fresh." - Kiss the Book

"The messages are strikingly worthwhile... [The illustrations] create profound scenes that are steeped in atmosphere and characters evocative with feeling." - CanLit for Little Canadians

"In this delightful twist on Aesop’s fable of the Ant and Grasshopper, Helaine Becker acknowledges the value of hard work, but also friendship, goodness, and creativity... This book would be great as a read-aloud for Kindergarten and Grade 1 students, leading to discussions of our own unique gifts." - Green Teacher

"Filled with wonderful narration, and accompanied by appealing and distinctive artwork, this is a tale that is sure to be requested numerous times." - Sal's Fiction Addiction

"A fantastically sublime retelling/twist of the famous fable, full of wit, whimsy, and oodles of heart—as well as the most expressive and wondrous illustrations of insects and their surroundings." - Fab Book Reviews

"This modern rendition of a classic fable is beautifully written and charmingly illustrated."

- Youth Services Book Review

Best Books for Kids and Teens, 2021

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Publication date

August 15, 2020

Number of pages

24

Curriculum

Character Development

Interest age

From 3 to 7