Ants don't wear Pants, by Kevin McCloskey. First Second, Raincoast. 2019. $15.95 ages 5 and up

"Ants don't see well,
but they use four senses:

TOUCH

They tap each other with
their antennae to share
news."

Other books by Kevin McCloskey include We Dig Worms, The Real Poop on Pigeons, Snails Are Just My Speed, and Something's Fishy. Adding a book about ants to the list is welcome; it will be enjoyed by many, just as the others have been. It is filled with facts about those tiny, industrious insects that capture our attention. They are often also the target of variety in ways to destroy them.

To children, they are endlessly fascinating. They will know exactly what the author means when he tells them that ants are always on the move. All you have to do is watch them! He explains:

"When you can't stop moving,
we say you have "ants in your pants."

An apt description for a very busy young child.

Children see them everywhere they look in the summer. Whether at the park, in the backyard, or walking down the sidewalk, observant children are aware of these tiny creatures. A microscope helps a child see them up close and personal. Mr. McCloskey provides those close-ups for readers when he describes an ant's body, their life cycle, the colony they build, and the ways they use their senses in learning about the world around them. Giving his two main characters an ant's-eye view is an excellent way to assure that they are involved in the tour he is providing for them.

After a page at the center that is filled with 1000 ants, he moves on to show his readers a few from the thousands of different kinds of ants there are: weaver, honeypot, crazy, acorn, bulldog, big-head. pavement, fire, ghost ... and EXPLODING ants that use their special talent to protect the colony! He explains what ants like to eat; then, what likes to eat ants. When the two return to their normal size, they prove that they have indeed learned something about the tiny, ever-moving insect.

The illustrations, as has been the case in each of the other mentioned works, are filled with details. They are painted with acrylics and gouache on recycled paper bags. Just enough information is provided that it might inspire some readers to do further research. (I would like to know more about the honeypot and the ghost varieties.)