"The essays were thrilling to read. Entrants came up with endings I would have thought of. Some came up with solutions that worked for both the Kid and the Ant. A lot of students made up stories of their own, some in verse. And the drawings were fabulous! Their work makes me look at Hey, Little Ant in a totally new way." --Hey, Little Ant's Co-Author, Phillip Hoose

Please stand up and applaud (or wave your antennae) for:

Kindergarten Winner:
Sophie Berghmans of Calgary, Alberta

Sophie's use of sequential art showed how the Kid's relationship with the Ant changed over time as the Kid considered the Ant. Look at the position of the Ant in each panel. Simply wonderful.
View Sophie's Artwork

First Grade Winner:
Marina Sanchez of Wilmington, Delaware

Marina's illustration is a perfect depiction of contemplation. Look at the knitted brow of the Kid and the thought bubble saying, "Ant, Ant, Ant..." Her essay ends with the great line, "Come out on the right path do not squish the ant."
View Marina's Artwork
View Marina's Essay Page 1
View Marina's Essay Page 2

Second Grade Winner:
Amos Livers of Oldenburg, Indiana

In the book, the Ant has the ability to talk and reason. Thus, many great essays talked about the Ant and the Kid being friends by hanging out at the Kid's house, going to the mall or even going to Virginia Beach together. Amos took a different approach, though, and talked about the Kid simply enjoying observing the Ant in his own natural habitat. The judges liked how quiet and contemplative this essay was.
View Amos' Essay

Third Grade Winner:
Charles (Charlie) Parsons of Lincoln, Nebraska

On the first pass this creative essay made the judges laugh. We loved the concept of a snake that could "only be killed by bears." On a second reading, the judges realized that Charlie had his character confront the decision not once, but twice. And in doing so, made the Kid to re-access his friendships. Very well imagined and very well written.
View Charlie's Essay

Honorable Mentions: Kindergarten:
• Quinn McClogan of Millsboro, Delaware
• Nicholas Sweerts of Calgary, Alberta
• Nicole Cyr of Saco, Maine
• Bre'anna Robinson of Beloit, Wisconsin
• Caleb Otto of Beloit, Wisconsin
• Madelyn Burner of Beloit, Wisconsin
• Kasandra Duran-Vasquez of Beloit, Wisconsin
• Jagger Petersen
• Ashley Williams of Griswold, Connecticut
• Weaam Tahir of Princess Anne, Maryland
• Thomas Seyanie of Princess Anne, Maryland
• Clara Voskuil of Bloomington, Indiana
• Alex Livers of Oldenburg, Indiana

Honorable Mentions: First Grade:
• Will Im of Woolwich, Maine
• Amanda F. of Friendswood, Texas
• Rebecca Morvak of Frederick, Maryland
• Ian Whisner of Snow Hill, Maryland
• Evalyn Harper of Stillwater, Oklahoma
• Ciara McAlister of Berlin, Maryland
• Catie of Pasadena, California
• Courtney Rog of Cumberland, Maine
• Nicole Perry of North Yarmouth, Maine
• Jake A. of Wilmington, Delaware
• Kassidy Koch of Munice, Indiana
• Mitchel Tanguay of Griswold, Connecticut
• Jeremy Powers of South Portland, Maine

Honorable Mentions: Second Grade:
• Mason Warner of Woolwich, Maine
• Sidonia Stanton of Woolwich, Maine
• Trever Santiago of Woolwich, Maine
• Jaline Meister
• Jordon Coleman of Hebron, Maryland
• Alison Weeg of Salisbury, Maryland
• Abigail Reilly of Salisbury, Maryland
• Amanda Sherwin of Calgary, Alberta
• Bishop Armstrong of Charleston, South Carolina
• Raymond Maher III of Sebago, Maine
• Andrew Kikos of Glenview, Illinois
• Mitch Bandy of San Antonio, Texas
• Ella Altidor of Portland, Maine
• Anna Holemans of Mullica Hill, New Jersey
• Jason Wormwood of South Portland, Maine
• Maria Cora of Floyds Knob, Indiana
• Jacob Crowe of Bayport, Minnesota

Honorable Mentions: Third Grade:
• Julia Prather of Calgary, Alberta
• Travis Wanfalt of Wapello, Iowa
• Daniel Zanine of Hatboro, Pennsylvania
• Matthew Wister of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania
• Rachel Dolan of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania
• Liam Downes of Lincoln, Nebraska
• Emma Davis of Lincoln, Nebraska
• Alexis Boyer of West Melbourne, Florida
• Petra Smat of Brunswick, Maine
• Anna Callahan of Brunswick, Maine
• Cameron Sullivan of New Gloucester, Maine
• Keegan St. Pierre of New Gloucester, Maine
• Adam Dale of of New Gloucester, Maine
• Moriah Schlenker of Saco, Maine