“I Can’t!” Said Annie Ant

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.