44 Books About Ants for Toddlers, Preschool, Grade School

Ants are pretty amazing, and here is a list of best books about ants for toddlers, preschool, kindergarten and other elementary grades. Compiled by a mom who is also a librarian and former classroom teacher, this comprehensive list includes both nonfiction books about ants and fiction books featuring ants as the stars. There are board books about ants as well as picture books about ants. Discover how ants are portrayed in literature and folklore around the world. Find stories, myths, and fables featuring ants. Some of these books are new, and others are classics.

Due to the fascinating lives they lead, ants would make an engaging topic for a unit study. Ants would also make a fun and cute party theme. So find a comfy place to read through the list and get inspired by the titles offered here.

Do You Know of Any Good Books About Ants?

When you work in five elementary school libraries (a different school each day), you get a lot of questions. This list is for all of the kids out there who have ever wanted to learn more about ants and their intriguing lives. Hard-working ants make a great educational theme, with many cross-curriculum connections that can be made with science as well as geography. A study of ants could possibly lead to some interesting team-building and teamwork activities. In my family, we have observed some fascinating ant hills in places we have lived or camped. Their behavior often leads us to ask questions about why they do what they do. The topic of ants is perfect for inquisitive little minds (and adult minds as well).

Here is a selection of books about ants, organized by reader age. Many of these books are nonfiction titles with some fiction titles included as well. Quite a few of these books are on the shelves at one or more of the children’s libraries where I work. I hope you find some great books about ants to enjoy and learn from.

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Books About Ants for Toddlers

These board books about ants offer a mix of engaging stories, counting activities, and interactive elements to captivate the curiosity of toddlers.

Ants Go Marching by Priscilla Burris: A fun and rhythmic board book that follows the classic tune of “The Ants Go Marching,” introducing toddlers to counting and movement.

The Ants Go Marching One by One by Dan Crisp: Readers look for distractible Little Ant on every board book page as the colorfully-illustrated pages fill with more ants.

Ants at the Picnic: Counting by Tens by Michael Dahl: This lively book combines a picnic setting with ants counting by tens, making it an entertaining and educational read for toddlers.

Discovering the Active World of the Anthill by Peter Bartikova: Toddlers will learn about an ant colony and the different jobs of ants as they explore the inside of an anthill in this sturdy board book.

Ant Books for Preschoolers

These preschool-friendly books about ants combine storytelling with educational content, making them enjoyable and informative for young readers.

Hey, Little Ant by Phillip Hoose and Hannah Hoose: This interactive book encourages empathy as it presents a conversation between a boy and an ant, prompting preschoolers to think about the perspectives of others.

One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes: This engaging book combines a story about an ant colony’s journey with counting, making it a great choice for preschoolers learning numbers.

The Ant and the Grasshopper by Rebecca Emberley: A playful retelling of Aesop’s fable with bold, colorful illustrations, this book explores the contrasting lifestyles of ants and grasshoppers, teaching preschoolers about the importance of hard work.

The Ants Go Marching by Jeffrey Scherer: An illustrated version of the classic song, “The Ants Go Marching,” with vibrant visuals and a catchy rhythm for preschoolers to enjoy.

Ant Cities by Arthur Dorros: With detailed illustrations and engaging text, this book takes preschoolers on a journey to explore the intricate world of ant colonies.

Books About Ants for Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade

These primary-friendly books about ants blend storytelling with educational elements, making them both entertaining and enriching for young readers.

Nonfiction

All About Ants by Karen Latchana Kenney: This book provides a comprehensive introduction to ants, covering their anatomy, behavior, habitats, and importance in the ecosystem, suitable for primary elementary grade kids.

Rhyme Time with Ants! by Leigh Mcclure: A playful and educational book featuring rhymes about ants, engaging young readers with fun poetry while teaching them interesting facts about these fascinating insects.

There Are No Ants in This Book by Rosemary Mosco: Through a humorous narrative, this book explores the world of ants by imagining what would happen if there were no ants, highlighting their significance in nature and ecosystems.

The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants by Philip Bunting: Delve into the intelligence and teamwork of ants through captivating stories and facts, showcasing the remarkable abilities of these tiny creatures to solve problems and adapt to their environment.

Ants by Kim Thompson: Introduces young readers to the ants commonly found in yards and gardens, discussing their behaviors, diet, and interaction with humans in a relatable and informative manner.

Army Ants by Trudy Becker: Explores the behavior, and impact of bullet ants, captivating upper elementary grade readers with its fascinating facts.

Mighty Ants: Exploring an Ant Colony by Alice Boynton: Journey into the heart of an ant colony and discover the marvels of ant society, from their complex communication to their division of labor. Through vivid descriptions and illustrations, readers gain a deeper appreciation for the incredible world of ants.

Amazing Ants by Miranda Kelly: Takes readers on a journey into the world of ants found in backyard habitats, showcasing their fascinating behaviors and adaptations through captivating stories and illustrations.

Ants by Bray Jacobson: A vibrant and interactive book that introduces young readers to the busy world of ants, encouraging exploration and learning through activities and fun facts.

Thank You, Ants by Emma Huddleston: Highlights the essential role of ants in maintaining ecosystems and offers gratitude to these tiny creatures through engaging narratives and illustrations, emphasizing their importance to the world around us.

Ants for Kids:A Junior Scientist’s Guide to Queens, Drones, and the Hidden World of Ants by Beverly S. Gerdeman: Empowers young readers to become junior scientists by providing insights into the hidden world of ants, including their life cycle, social structure, and unique behaviors, with hands-on activities to encourage exploration.

Fast Facts about Ants by Lisa J. Amstutz: Presents quick and fascinating facts about ants, covering various species, behaviors, and adaptations, perfect for curious young minds eager to learn more about these insects.

Ants: Animals That Make a Difference! by Ashley Lee: Explores how ants make a difference in their environment and ecosystems, highlighting their unique adaptations and contributions to the natural world, with engaging text and colorful illustrations.

1001 Ants by Joanna Rzezak: Invites readers to explore the world of ants through detailed illustrations and informative text, providing a visual feast of ant diversity and behavior, perfect for young nature enthusiasts.

Ants Don’t Wear Pants! by Kevin McCloskey: Combines humor and learning to engage young readers with amusing stories and illustrations about ants, inspiring laughter while imparting valuable information about these industrious insects.

It’s an Ant’s Life by Steve Parker: This book provides an introduction to the life of ants, covering their habitat, behavior, and role within a colony with colorful illustrations and simple text made in the form of a scrapbook created by an ant.

Fiction

I Made These Ants Some Underpants! by Derick Wilder: Follow along with a whimsical tale about a creative young inventor who decides to make underpants for ants. This humorous story explores imagination, problem-solving, and the importance of thinking outside the box.

Smarty Ants by Corey Rosen Schwartz: Join a group of clever ants as they navigate challenges and solve problems using their intelligence and teamwork. This entertaining and educational math-themed story celebrates the power of brains over brawn.

The Ants Who Couldn’t Dance by Susan Rich Brooke: Discover the heartwarming tale of a group of ants who feel left out because they can’t dance like their friends. Through teamwork and cooperation, they learn to embrace their unique talents and find their own rhythm.

City of Leafcutter Ants by Amy Hevron: Embark on an adventure to the bustling city of leafcutter ants, where readers will explore the intricacies of ant society and culture. This imaginative story invites children to discover the wonders of the natural world.

Only Ants for Andy by Jashar Awan: Join Andy, a young anteater, who only likes to eat ants. His horizons are broadened when he goes to his friend Sam Sloth’s house for a sleepover.

The Ants and the Grasshopper, Narrated by the Fanciful but Truthful Grasshopper by Nancy Loewen: Experience the classic fable of “The Ants and the Grasshopper” from a fresh perspective, as narrated by the grasshopper. This charming condensed retelling offers valuable lessons about perspective, as well as hard work and planning for the future.

The Ants’ Secret by Baltasar Magro: When the anthill is attacked by some children on the surface, General Ant has to make a plan to defend the colony and save the Queen. Sending a special scent signal through the tunnel, General Ant alerts the worker ants and soldier ants to take action.

Two Bad Ants by Chris Van Allsburg: In this imaginative book, two ants explore the world of a kitchen, providing a unique perspective on everyday objects and experiences as well as a lesson about obedience.

Books About Ants for Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades

These books offer a mix of educational content and engaging narratives, making them suitable for readers in third grade and beyond who are curious about the world of ants.

All about African Matabele Ants by John Bankston: Focuses specifically on African matabele ants, offering insights into their behavior, social structure, and role in African ecosystems, tailored for young readers.

All about Asian Marauder Ants by Josh Barrer: Explores the world of Asian marauder ants, introducing kids to the unique characteristics and behaviors of these ants found in Asia, along with their impact on the environment.

Amazing Ants. A Kid’s Book of Cool Facts and Pictures of Ants by Wild Pages Publishing: Delve into the world of ants with this comprehensive, colorful guide, perfect for budding naturalists.

Green Ants vs. Army Ants by Jerry Pallotta: Presents an exciting showdown between green ants and army ants, comparing their strengths, weaknesses, and strategies in a fun and educational format that sparks curiosity and imagination.

Leafcutter Ants by Ruth Owen: Focuses on leafcutter ants and their remarkable behaviors, including their complex social structure and their role in nutrient cycling, presented in an accessible and engaging format for primary elementary grade kids.

Red Fire Ants by Scott Pearson: Learn about the invasive red fire ants and their spread across different regions, disrupting ecosystems and posing risks to native species and human populations. This bookld of army ants, focusing on their unique hunting strategies, social structure, and role in the ecosystem, with engaging content suitable for upper elementary grade kids.

The Ants and the Grasshopper by Shannon Anderson: This classic fable teaches valuable lessons about the importance of hard work, planning, and preparation through the story of industrious ants and a carefree grasshopper.

Fire Ants by Megan Cooley Peterson: Explore the world of fire ants, learning about their habitat, behavior, and the potential dangers they pose to humans and ecosystems. This book provides fascinating insights into one of the most notorious insect species.

Ants by Ashley Gish: Delve into the fascinating world of ants, exploring their anatomy, behavior, social structure, and ecological importance. This comprehensive guide offers upper elementary grade kids a deeper understanding of these industrious insects.

Ants: Secrets of Their Cooperative Colonies by Karen Latchana Kenney: Investigate the intricate social structure and cooperative behavior of ant colonies, uncovering the secrets behind their success as one of nature’s most efficient communities.

Bullet Ants Sting! by Melissa Rae Shofner: Learn about the bullet ant, known for its powerful sting and intense pain it inflicts. This book provides insights into the biology,

Other Ideas for a Unit Study About Ants

In addition to reading about ants and gathering knowledge from books, and unit study of ants could expand understanding in a variety of areas. By incorporating a variety of activities, you can create a comprehensive and engaging unit study about ants for elementary grades. Here are some more ideas to engage and inspire students when studying ants and the lives they lead:

Ant Anatomy: Teach kids about the different parts of an ant’s body and their functions. Create diagrams or models to illustrate.

Life Cycle of Ants: Explore the life cycle of ants, from egg to adult. Discuss the stages of development and how ants grow and change.

Ant Habitats: Learn about where ants live, such as underground colonies, nests in trees, or even inside homes. Discuss the unique features of each habitat.

Types of Ants: Introduce kids to the various species of ants and their differences in size, color, and behavior. Discuss how different ants have different roles in the colony.

Ant Communication: Explore how ants communicate with each other through pheromones, touch, and sound. Conduct experiments to simulate ant communication.

Ant Behavior: Study the behavior of ants, including foraging, food storage, and defense mechanisms. Observe ants in action and record their behaviors.

Ant Food Sources: Investigate what ants eat and how they find food. Discuss how ants collect, transport, and share food within the colony.

Ant Predators and Prey: Learn about the predators that hunt ants and the prey that ants hunt themselves. Discuss strategies ants use to defend themselves.

Ant Social Structure: Explore the social structure of ant colonies, including the roles of queen ants, worker ants, and soldier ants. Discuss how ants work together as a community.

Ants and the Environment: Discuss the ecological importance of ants and their impact on ecosystems. Explore how ants help with soil aeration, seed dispersal, and pest control.

Ants in Art and Crafts: Get creative with ant-themed art and crafts projects, such as making ant sculptures, painting ant habitats, or crafting ant costumes.

Ants in Technology: Explore how scientists study ants and their behavior using technology like cameras, tracking devices, and computer simulations. Discuss how lessons from ants inspire human inventions.

Ant Observation: Set up an ant farm or ant observation area where kids can watch ants up close and record their observations. Encourage them to ask questions and make hypotheses about ant behavior.

Ant Games and Activities: Have fun with ant-themed games and activities, such as ant races, ant-themed board games, or scavenger hunts inspired by ant behavior.