posted on 21 Apr 2025

Ant Party by Ross Montgomery, illustrated by Sarah Warburton

A lifetime ago, when I was just a very young teenager, I read a magazine story that told the story of how ants were once the dominant species on Earth and many times their current size. This super-intelligent lifeform was also super-prolific when it came to reproducing and they had soon overrun the Earth and had no space to live the lives they had become accustomed to. An ant scientist discovers a solution – he will use an astonishing invention that will effectively miniaturise the population and give everyone plenty of space – and their lives could go on as before. The only problem was that no-one in the ant hierarchy had foreseen the rise of the mammals – and especially humans – who would come along and (literally) stamp out their civilisation.

Ever since reading this, I’ve always been convinced that ants are a thwarted super-species, just awaiting their moment and that in their colonies they are living lives as complex as our own. Then along comes Ross Montgomery’s Ant Party to confirm all my instincts and introduce us to Andy the ant who is planning his birthday.

Andy wants to have a small, discreet celebration to mark the day but, in the ant hill, it’s hard to keep anything small, discreet or quiet. He makes the first mistake by inviting his neighbours and they in turn think it wouldn’t do any harm to invite the farmer ants who can bring along plenty of food – and, after all:

‘A few more guests won’t hurt!’

Then the farmer ants feel sorry for the worker ants who work so hard on their behalf:

‘I’m sure Andy won’t mind if we invite a few more.’

And then the party plans are over-heard by the soldier ants and they tell the Queen and everyone is thrilled by the prospect of ‘dancing and dips’.

There’s a knock on Andy’s door later that day and when he opens it – there’s a huge crowd and a deafening cry of ‘ANT PAAAAAAAAAAARTY!’

And, in the shindig, it’s so packed that it’s hard to move – but then disaster. A rumbling sound is followed by the roof and walls flying open. It’s an anteater!

Will the party end in tragedy or will Andy step up and become a new ant hero? Well, you can find that out for yourselves.

Sarah Warburton’s big, bright, colourful illustrations make a perfect accompaniment for this happy little tale and will give younger readers plenty to explore as they enter into ant-world.

Available now from Walker Books, you will be able to get a copy from your local independent bookshop – who will, of course, be happy to order you a copy if they don’t have it on the shelves.

Terry Potter

April 2025