"I Can't!" Said Annie Ant

For very young children, doing something for the first time can feel especially daunting. This is the story of Annie Ant, a young worker ant, whose first impulse is just that- "I can't!" However, when Annie Ant is listened to, encouraged to express her specific concerns, and given simple, straightforward information to address her worries, she feels empowered to try.

In the first several years of life, there are countless "firsts" for children. For very young children, doing something for the first time can feel especially daunting. This is the story of Annie Ant, a young worker ant, whose first impulse is just that- "I can't!" However, when Annie Ant is listened to, encouraged to express her specific concerns, and given simple, straightforward information to address her worries, she feels empowered to try. While facing the challenges of her first day gathering food, she learns a lot about herself and we, the readers, learn some interesting facts about ants! We are also reminded that knowledge is indeed power and that a patient, caring community can inspire confidence, competence, and pride.

Annamarie DeBonis lives in Highland, Maryland, with her husband and cat. She teaches preschool, which provided the emotional material and impetus for writing this story. When she is not playing with toddlers, Annamarie enjoys hiking, cooking, traveling, listening to music, and visiting her adult children.