March of the Ants

A group of ants is about to head off on an important expedition, and everyone has something useful and practical to bring with them—things like food, water, and maps.

The littlest ant announces that she will be bringing her storybook. No-one sees the value in her choice at first, but as supplies start to dwindle and the exhaustion of the long trek starts to set in, the littlest ant’s storybook becomes a source of hope for the ants—something that propels them forward each morning of their endless journey.

This beautiful book is a love-song to readers and creators. It can be easy in a world dominated by the bottom line to lose sight of things like culture and art, but their strength in unifying people and bringing joy cannot be ignored.

As this book acknowledges the importance of rest and spending time on hobbies, it also models the importance of mutual respect and care for others—and the ways that stories can bridge gaps between different people.

However you conceptualise the ants and their journey—whether as a community of people working toward a common goal, or your own body and brain working to get through the day—this book’s message is a vital one.