Little Ant and the Mantis: Count Your Blessings — S.M.R. Saia

Little Ant is having the worst day ever. Then he meets a praying mantis who is able to remain happy, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Will Little Ant learn his secret? This is an original story, inspired by Aesop's “The Hares and the Frogs,” which teaches that there is always someone worse off than yourself. Little Ant's story avoids comparing oneself to others, and focuses instead on recognizing and appreciating the good things in one's life. The moral: count your blessings. The Little Ant books are reimaginings of Aesop's classic fables, teaching timeless lessons like “appearances can be deceiving” and “one good turn deserves another.” Brought to life by Tina Perko's vibrant and whimsical illustrations, the stories follow Little Ant as he navigates through the challenges and frustrations of growing up. In the tradition of the classic series the Berenstain Bears and Little Critter, Little Ant's adventures provide him with opportunities to build character and learn valuable lessons about friendship, kindness, empathy, teamwork, courage, and the importance of being true to yourself. Visit http://littleantbooks.com to download free coloring sheets, activities, and lesson plans. Follow Little Ant on Facebook at @littleantnews. Follow Little Ant on Instagram at littleantnews.