annieb123's Review of Addie Ant Goes on an Adventure

by Maren Morris and Karina Argow

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Maren Morris and former schoolteacher Karina Argow have together written their picture-book debut, Addie Ant Goes on an Adventure. This delightful story of one little ant’s journey for independence while realizing when to ask for help, is set against the backdrop of a vast and abundant garden inhabited by some very helpful insect friends.

Addie Ant travels from one garden bed to another on her first solo adventure. As she forges her own path, she gets lost along the way and finds help from her trusted garden pals, Lewis Ladybug, Beatrix Butterfly, and Cleo Cricket, in finding her way back home.

A celebration of friendship, this sweet book is a collaboration by renowned, musical artist Maren Morris and former schoolteacher and close friend Karina Argow. Artist Kelly Anne Dalton brings the delightfully written characters to life with colorful and charming illustrations.

Join Addie Ant in a vast and magical garden adventure full of insect friends, growing vegetables, blooming flowers, and the inspiring abundance of nature.

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Addie Ant Goes on an Adventure is an adorable illustrated adventure for the youngest readers by Maren Morris & Karina Argow. Released 9th April 2024 by Chronicle Books on their Chroma imprint, it's 40 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

This is a sweet adventure picture book for the smallest readers (2-5 years) with such a retro vibe. Young Addie has always wanted to travel across the garden to see where the watermelons and sunflowers grow. She plans her trip, packs her backpack, straightens her shoulders, and off she goes. She meets lots of friends along the way to her destination. Characters have alliterative names (Addie Ant, Lewis Ladybug, Beatrix Butterfly, etc) and are appealingly rendered.

The free verse is simple and will become a fast favorite with the small family members for bedtime or storytime reading. The illustrations by Kelly Anne Dalton are wonderfully retro and luminous. They are full of small details which draw the eye and will also be fun for the littles to find details like flowers, bugs, etc. The nostalgic art will remind adults "of a certain age" of the vanished Little Golden Books of their own childhood years.

Five stars. It would be a superb choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, and gift-giving purposes.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Reading updates

28 April, 2024: Started reading

28 April, 2024: Finished reading

28 April, 2024: Reviewed