The 30 Best Ant Books for Preschoolers & Toddlers: Facts & Fables
Wanting to expand the nature section of your children’s library? We’ve compiled a list of 30 children’s books about ants. These ant books are perfect for early learners, including preschoolers and toddlers.
The list includes stories about ants, fables, lessons, facts, and close-up ant photographs. Readers will learn about ant behavior, roles, colonies, anthills, and the stages of ant development. Find your child’s next great read about these tiny critters.
Stories About Ants
How to Walk an Ant
By Cindy Derby
Available in: hardcover
Essentially the ultimate guide on how to become a professional ant walker.
Each time I research children’s books, I discover another book that is too great for words. I’m just delighted to come across this story. It’ll be a favorite in your library too, I’m sure. Or maybe I just like dark, twisty humor in children’s books.
The Ants Who Couldn’t Dance
By Susan Rich Brooke, illustrated by Paul Nicholls
Available in: hardcover
Just because you can’t dance doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.
These ants don’t have rhythm, but the rhyming text in this ant book does. Readers will love the bright, lively illustrations. Kids can keep an eye out for all the other bugs in the story. I’m going to give this book bonus points because it was published on my birthday.
Hey, Little Ant
By Phillip Hoose & Hannah Hoose, illustrated by Debbie Tilley
Available in: hardcover
This children’s book shares the story of a conversation between a child and an ant. This book teaches about the power of compassion. Readers are encouraged to talk about their role in protecting other living beings.
Two Bad Ants
By Chris Van Allsburg
Available in: hardcover
Personally, I thought the cover of this book was a little misleading. The story is pretty action-packed (at an ant level). The illustrations perfectly add to the drama of the story. Two Bad Ants is definitely one of my favorite stories on this list.
I Don’t Like to Eat Ants
By JTK Belle, illustrated by Sabine Mielke
Available in: hardcover
Readers will enjoy this goofy rhyming book about an out-of-the-ordinary anteater. Kids will probably relate to just not wanting to eat ants.
The Ants’ Secret
By Baltasar Magro, illustrated by Dani Padrón, translated by Jon Brokenbow
Available in: hardcover
The beautiful illustrations are absolute works of art. The storyline teaches empathy, compassion, and an appreciation for how ants connect to our world as humans.
This fact-packed book would be great for a classroom unit on ants, even if the story gets a little fantastical near the end. Hey, that’s inspiration for great discussions, right?
Anthony and the Ants
By Gemma Raynor
Available in: paperback & hardcover
Anthony is an anteater at his wit’s end over some very hungry ants. How will he solve the problem of the ants sneaking away with his food?
Fables & Lessons Ant Books
The Ant and the Grasshopper
By Blake Hoena, illustrated by Lisk Feng, produced by Dean Jones
Available in: paperback
This book is a rhythmic, musical re-telling of a classic Aesop fable. The illustrations in this children’s book are absolutely lovely.
Little Ant and the Butterfly
By S. M. R. Saia, illustrated by Tina Perko
Available in: paperback
This book is part of the Little Ant series focusing on important life lessons. Little Ant prejudges someone based on appearances in this story and soon learns that this is a mistake (also a total jerk move). Along with morals, readers will pick up some ant facts.
The Ant and the Elephant
By Bill Peet
Available in: paperback
Through this story, readers will learn a lesson about kindness and helping others. No matter our size we can make a difference.
Ant and Grasshopper
By Luli Gray, illustrated by Giuliano Ferri
Available in: hardcover
This book is a silly twist on a classic fable. The incredible, eye-catching illustrations make this a perfect addition to your ant book collection.
Juan Hormiga
By Gustavo Roldan, translated by Robert Croll
Available in: paperback
This ant story is from Argentina and translated from Spanish. The book shares a tale about an infamous ant and his adventure. The unique illustrations are black ink with bright pops of color.
The Ant Hill Disaster
By Julia Cook, illustrated by Michelle Hazelwood Hyde
Available in: paperback
The purpose of this book is to help children who have experienced devastating events or tragedies. Specifically, it focuses on natural or man-made disaster situations. Adults can use this book to connect with children, talk about hard topics, and validate children’s feelings.
Ant Math Books
One Hundred Hungry Ants
By Elinor J. Pinczes, illustrated by Bonnie Mackain
Available in: paperback & hardcover
The book’s fun text combines rhyme and math. The author manages to sneak an arithmetic lesson right into the storyline. Readers will also enjoy the classic trope of ants invading a picnic.
The Ants Go Marching!
By Dan Crisp
Available in: board book & paperback
This book is based on the classic children’s song that’s part of childhood memories for many people. This children’s book features cutouts in each page giving a peek into what is coming up next! Readers will engage in counting, rhyming, and rhythm.
Ants Rule: The Long and Short of It
By Bob Barner
Available in: paperback & hardcover
Ants Rule combines math and story using an unusual measurement system. The book includes simple charts and data to introduce emergent math skills. As for the illustrations, I’m always a sucker for collage illustrations.
The Ants Go Marching: A Count-and-Sing Along
By Priscilla Burris
Available in: board book
The ants are on a picnic adventure while the metallic raindrops catch their attention. A children’s book based on this favorite song for younger readers, The Ants Go Marching.
Ant Facts Picture Books
Ant’s Diary: A Year in My Life
By Adam Stower, Tim Hayward, & Robin Carter
Available in: hardcover
An ant tells readers about her life. Learn all about the hazards and habits in this ant’s colony.
Ants Don’t Wear Pants!
By Kevin McCloskey
Available in: hardcover
This comics-style book is an engaging way to introduce readers to facts about ants.
March with the Ants
By Karen Latchana Kenney, illustrated by Lisa Hedicker
Available in: hardcover
This book is an easy-to-read introduction to ants, ants’ habitats, and ant behavior. Ants are social little critters who have specialized roles in their colonies.
Army Ant Parade
By April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Rick Chrustowski
Available in: hardcover
This book provides a different look at ant behavior: swarming. Find out how the other rainforest creatures are affected by this ant behavior.
Quick warning: a frog is eaten by the ants (….ugh…), so take care who you read this book to.
Anthill
By Petra Bartikova, illustrated by Magdalena Takacova
Available in: board book
Seriously, this book has fun vibes that readers will find almost irresistible. The book itself is an anthill full of fun graphics and interesting ant facts. If you have a child who loves playing with board games/board game pieces, they will love this book. Or was I the only kid who never wanted to put Candyland away?
The Life and Times of the Ant
By Charles Micucci
Available in: paperback & hardcover
This children’s book has it all (in terms of ant info). Readers will explore the history, business, and behaviors of ants.
Ant Cities
By Arthur Dorros
Available in: paperback
This is a Reading Rainbow classic right out of the 80’s. Follow along with the students in the book as they learn tons of information about ants. Readers will find amazing visuals of ant homes.
Are You an Ant?
By Judy Allen, illustrated by Tudor Humphries
Available in: paperback
This book series always takes a unique approach to learning about bug/insect facts. Readers will feel more connected with a familiar insect they can observe in their own backyard.
Ant Books with Real Photos
Our Amazing World: Ants
By Kay de Silva
Available in: paperback
This book is a lovely and simple introduction to ant science. Still, the photographs are next-level and absolutely captivating. This book gives readers a close-up they just can’t get in real life.
National Geographic Kids: Ants
By Melissa Stewart
Available in: paperback
As always, National Geographic Kids provides amazing ant photographs to help readers learn about these familiar critters.
Incredible Ants
By Susan Ashley
Available in: paperback
This nonfiction ant book is for beginning readers who want to explore ant facts and colorful photographs.
Amazing Ants
By Megan Cooley Peterson
Available in: paperback & hardcover
This ant book is fantastic (no, amazing) and filled with real photographs, a glossary of ant terminology, and easy-to-understand ant facts.
Ants for Kids: A Junior Scientist’s Guide to Queens, Drones, and the Hidden World of Ants
By Beverly Gerdeman
Available in: paperback & hardcover
This book is stuffed with ant facts and real photos. Readers will learn about different types of ants and their roles. As a bonus, the book includes ant projects to extend learning.
Why should you teach preschoolers and toddlers about ants?
When children learn about insects, they get insight into the world around them. Even tiny little ants have a big impact on our planet. Children are fascinated by ant behavior and amazed by the intricate colonies they build. These books about ants are perfect for introducing young readers to the world of insects.
Ant books may be the next best thing when you don’t have a chance to observe ants up close. Each ant book on this list is packed with valuable lessons and information about ants. They are a great extension of bug activities for preschoolers and toddlers.
Need more bug book ideas? Check out a book list on bees, spiders, dragonflies, or our ultimate bug book list.
