Up Above and Down Below, by Sue Redding
What this story is about:
Ants march on a picnic and turn it upside down, returning with treats for friends underground. Up above, the ants are taking over a picnic. But down below is another story. Look closely and you’ll find very different worlds living side by side, at a picnic, in the ocean, in the blazing desert, even inside the same two-story home. Sue Redding’s bold, wonderfully detailed illustrations hide lots of fun and mischief — keep an eye out for the red ant and green worm who have snuck into every picture!
My thoughts:
The simple story line in Up Above and Down Below is accompanied by lovely and lively, detailed pictures that will keep a visually-oriented child busy for quite a while. This was a book that Dylan really enjoyed; during the week we had it out from the library, he looked through it over and over again. The pictures absolutely captivated him, as did the idea that there were such different things going on above and down below.
He was very reluctant to return the book to the library. Unfortunately, the book is out of print, but he liked it so much, I’m keeping it on his wishlist and might buy him a used copy.
Dylan’s review:
I like the part with the rabbits underground because they’re so silly. I liked how the gophers make a marble run for golf balls. I like the cover and back cover. I also like the ant part because they take everything and they play cards and go to the doctor.
Learn, Play, Fun! Concepts learned:
Up Above and Down Below is a whimsical look at the two different worlds up above and down below, but it makes an excellent jumping-off point for a discussion of how the world above ground are very different from the world under the ground.
