About Us
The Hey, Little Ant Essay Challenge has been imagined, created and supported by a tremendous group of individuals, educators and organizations. Here is a list of the many people we have to thank for the Essay Challenge.The Authors
Phillip Hoose is the author of nine books, including the National Book Award Finalist We Were There Too! Young People in US History, the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award-winning The Race to Save the Lord God Bird and an acclaimed baseball memoir for adults and young readers, Perfect Once Removed. For more than thirty years, he has been a staff member of The Nature Conservancy, working to protect habitats of endangered imperiled species--including ants. He is a founding member of the Children's Music Network and a performing musician. More about Phillip Hoose.
Hannah Hoose is an actress, dancer, animal rights activist, keyboardist, radio host and graduate of Oberlin College. She has been a member of several bands and has appeared in many productions for the Children's Theater of Maine. Hannah was nine when she and her father wrote "Hey, Little Ant." In performance, Hannah is the child who raises her foot up over her insect father. Hey, Little Ant is her first book.
The Illustrator
Debbie Tilley has illustrated more than fifty children's books, including her wonderful illustrations for Hey, Little Ant. Debbie has donated the original illustration for the book to the Essay Challenge as the prize for exemplary school participation.
The Publisher
Nicole Geiger at Tricycle Press published the lyrics to Phillip and Hannah Hoose's song, "Hey, Little Ant" as an illustrated picture book in 1998. In 2004, Tricycle produced a Spanish edition of the book, Oye, hormiguita. After ten years, Tricycle Press has proudly sold over 100,000 copies of the book as well as selling rights to Scholastic Book Clubs and foreign language rights in eight countries.
Curious City
Curious City is a children's book event planning and promotion company that creates experiences where children can access books and their creators in an active and creative way. Kirsten Cappy of Curious City designed the Hey, Little Ant Essay Challenge with Phillip and Hannah Hoose and will act as the Essay Challenge's administrator.
Sponsors
The Essay Challenge was made possible by the generous support and input of the following organizations:
• Tricycle Press
• The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
• TeachingBooks.net
• Woodland Park Zoo
• Salisbury University Seidel School of Teacher Education, Salisbury University
• Friends Council on Education
ANTvisory Board
This prestigious and generous group of individuals makes up the advisory board (or ANTvisory Board, as we like to call it) for the Essay Challenge.
• Susan Bloom, Professor Emeritus, Center for the Study of Children's Literature, Simmons College
• Patricia K. Dean, Ph.D., Director of Early Childhood Education, Salisbury University
• Jennifer Pace Robinson, VP of Experience Development and Family Learning, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
• Philip Martin, Marketing Director, TeachingBooks.net
• Phillip & Hannah Hoose, Authors
• Barbara Gruener, Character Educator
• Sandi Ste. George, Educator, Artist, Musician
• Kirsten Cappy, Curious City, Children's Book Advocate
Judges (partial list)
The Essay Challenge will be judged (blind to the entrant's name, school and location) by these honorable educators and individuals.
• Patricia K. Dean, Ph.D., Director of Early Childhood Education, Salisbury University
• Susan Bloom, Professor Emeritus, Center for the Study of Children's Literature, Simmons College
• Representative, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
• Representative, TeachingBooks.net
• Erin Sullivan, Collection Manager, Woodland Park Zoo
• Phillip & Hannah Hoose, Authors
• Barbara Gruener, Character Educator, Westwood Elementary School
• Sandi Ste. George, Educator, Artist, Musician
• Kirsten Cappy, Curious City, Children's Book Advocate
• Dr. Ernie Bond, Children's Literature Professor, Salisbury University
• Dr. Jocelynn Smrekar, an Associate Professor from Clarion University of Pennsylvania
• Clare Struck, Malcolm Prince Laboratory School
• Debi Wooten, Media Specialist, Buckingham Elementary School, Berlin, MD
• Tish Merrick, 2007 New Teacher of the Year in Dorchester County, MD
• Michelle Lozowski, West Chester Friends School
• Kim Alexander, Teacher, Windsor Hills Elementary School, Baltimore, MD
And Other Thanks
• To all the Educators and Caregivers who have asked, "What do you think that kid should do?" and to all the kids that have thought about it.
• To Mark Mattos, who designed this website, the Essay Challenge's logo and always has terrific ideas and perspective to offer.
• To Laura Mancuso at Tricycle Press who told us to "keep it simple" among other wise things.