With his foot poised to squish an offending ant, a boy listens in surprise as the ant pleads its case: Ants don't steal food but only take crumbs that feed their whole families. They are not that different from each other. After all, they both have a purpose within their communities. This seemingly simple picture book acknowledges everyone's role within nature-both human and insect-and offers opportunities to extend the conversation beyond boys and ants to themes of bullying, peaceful coexistence, or human and animal rights. At story's end, the boy's foot remains raised above the ant. What will the boy do? Better yet, what would the reader do?

A song in which an ant pleads with the kid who is tempted to squish it.