As snow begins to fall, Ant dreads staying indoors all winter, and, besides, she already misses her best friend, a bee. In three chapters, McDonald tells of Ant's difficult trek to Honey Bee's house, her many attempts to please her grumpy friend, and their new plan: first they'll feast; then they'll sleep. Kids will particularly enjoy the bizarre ingredients that go into their "Eiffel Tower" sandwich. The second title in a charming beginning-reader series, this offers droll humor and a broad emotional range, which Karas captures perceptively in his expressive gouache, acrylic, and pencil illustrations. Satisfying fare for young readers.

Bored and lonely on a winter day, Ant seeks the companionship of friend Honey Bee, who just wants to be left alone. The three chapters tap into the timeless emotions of childhood in the same spirit as Frog and Toad do. Both the gouache, acrylic, and pencil illustrations and the humorous, endearing text feature delightful details and gags for new readers to spot.

Winter's arrival leaves sleepy Honey Bee in no mood to entertain her still-antsy friend. Having quickly run through all the possibilities for solitary activities, Ant ignores her bigger buddy's "bee-mail" brushoff and heads out into the "rainy and complain-y" weather to pay a call. Grumpy reception notwithstanding ("Honey Bee sure had her stinger out today"), Ant's relentless persistence ultimately pays off in a cooperatively assembled "peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich"--actually a bowl of milk with some chips in it--enhanced, "Stone Soup" style, with raisins, maple syrup, goldfish crackers, gummy worms, squeeze cheese, ketchup and even stored-away honey. "It's very antsome," admits Honey Bee. And the towering result makes a perfect final snack before cuddling down on a shared couch for a long winter's nap. McDonald's three-chapter tale offers an entertaining mix of wordplay and amusing back-and-forth conversation--not to mention delicious kitchen antics and, from Karas, cartoon illustrations rich in both visual gags ("Napping House" reads the sign outside Old Man Spider's home) and small but clear cues to the mutual regard lurking under the (four-limbed, but never mind) insect friends' moods. Sure to give recent Henry & Mudge grads a happy buzz. (Early reader. 6-8)

Gr 1-3 It's getting chilly out, and Ant and Honey Bee are settling in for hibernation. But Ant isn't ready to be alone; she braves the cold to visit her pal one last time. Honey Bee is grumpy and resists all of Ant's attempts to cheer her. Eventually, Ant coaxes Honey Bee out of her bad mood as they fix a sandwich with all of the food in the hive. The two buddies then cuddle together for their long winter's nap. This story of friendship is full of puns that will make readers chuckle. The gouache, acrylic, and pencil illustrations add details for children to find (e.g., Bee's newspaper warns of "Killer Bee Attack"). The large font and simple, sometimes repetitive, words ("Ant looked out the window. Gray clouds. Gray sky. Gray trees. Gray earth.") will allow beginning readers to read the story on their own, but it is complex enough for stronger readers to feel accomplished. A solid addition to early chapter-book collections. Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Ft. Thomas, KY