By Moesha Kellaway (author) , Moesha Kellaway (illustrator) Part of the Misunderstood Minibeasts series
"Another funny, entertaining and informative slice of insect life."
Paperback In Stock £7.99 £7.19
Hardback In Stock £12.99 £11.69
View All Editions (2)
June 2026 Book of the Month
Moesha Kellaway follows up her award-winning and hugely popular book Slug Life with another funny, entertaining and informative slice of insect life.
In Ant Life we follow ant Anita as she tours her ant colony in the company of her hard-working sister Chantal to choose the ant job she wants to do. We visit the nursery, food store, even the queen’s bedroom learning a great deal about ant life along the way, before Anita decides rather than settle down, she’ll go travelling.
Now we visit ant colonies around the world, from the Amazon to Columbia and Africa, discovering even more about these remarkable creatures.
The graphic layout with postcards, speech bubbles and lots of humour, make this great fun as well as factual and young readers will thoroughly enjoy learning about ant life with Anita.
Have you ever heard of a worker ant who can't decide what job she wants to do?
Read the full description
The other ants think Anita is lazy, but she just can't decide what job she wants to do. When her sister takes her to the colony job fair, she discovers the huge range of jobs inside the anthill and around it, but that just gives her a taste for adventure - now she's going to find out about the REALLY amazing ant-jobs and report back. Accidentally, she's found her perfect role.
Moesha Kellaway is an illustrator from Frome with a huge love of the great outdoors, mushrooms and bugs! In true stereotypical illustrator style, she can often be found tote bag in hand with a sketchbook and a handful of drawing tools rattling around inside and possibly a pencil in her hair.
Drawing inspiration from my childhood growing up in Somerset, my love of nature, people watching and exploring the outdoors; many of her illustrations contain a playful use of shapes, colours and characters - with a mix of detail, humour and often anthropomorphism.
View Moesha's YouTube Channell here
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Frome, Somerset and spent most of my childhood outdoors and enjoying nature!
As a child what were your favourite books? I was an avid reader when I was younger (still am!) and I would always stay up late with a torch under the covers – determined to read as much as I could. One of my favourite picture books would have to be The Snail Houseby Allan Ahlberg and illustrated by Gillian Tyler. I love the adventure the children go on with their Grandma and the gorgeously illustrated narrative. Then I think I should also mention that I really loved the Philip Pullman trilogy His Dark Materials . A story packed with action, adventure, the importance of friends as well as knowing who you are and what you believe in.
What inspired you to become an author/illustrator? I guess in that classic cliché – I’ve always loved drawing and was always trying to incorporate some form of art into my school projects or making up stories on my Nanny’s computer and illustrating them on Paint. During my A-Levels I felt like there was a lot of push to go to top unis and I was still unsure what path to take – so I decided to do an Art Foundation. I met so many amazing people, had great advice from tutors and found that illustration was what I really to pursue.
Where did you study, if applicable? Arts University Bournemouth
What do you feel is the most important thing about books? I think books should be shared! I love telling friends and family about a groovy book I’ve just read or reading with children and sharing their excitement as they follow the narrative and illustrations!
Where did the inspiration for Slug Life book come from? I started drawing small anthropomorphic creatures in undergrowth and field settings – and I’ve always been obsessed with mushrooms… which can usually be found with a slug or two munching on top! We moved from Frome to Bruton, which is right near Stourhead Estate, where we often go out for dog walks with my Dad (who’s a carpenter) pointing out different trees, spotting bugs and animals. Usually I try to make a note so that I can research and read up about what I’ve seen; I have so many English Wildlife books it’s a bit mad! I then started drawing slugs that were patterned and could represent different people and then I had the idea of a hilariously grumpy slug!
Tell us five things few people know about you 1. My favourite colour is green... all the shades!! 2. I am actually pretty short – 5'1 (I just always wear big shoes) 3. I really love mushrooms, cats and cheese... but perhaps not all together ahah 4. I think baked beans are scary! 5. I’m a total country bumpkin!
100 Best Non-Fiction Books for Children Who Love Facts
the best picture books · the best bedtime stories
Waffles and Julius: No Hugs Please!
Bluey: Daddy Dropoff
Have you ever heard of a worker ant who can't decide what job she wants to do? The other ants think Anita is lazy, but she just can't decide what job she wants to do.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Ant Life and determined it is suitable for children aged 0-4 years old
Ant Life features in the following genres: Books for Babies and Toddlers, Featured Books for 3+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Animal Stories, The Natural World, Picture storybooks, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Insects, spiders, minibeasts, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s picture books, Children’s: picture books, activity books, early learning concepts, Children’s / Teenage: General interest
Paperback, Hardback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Ant Life was written by Moesha Kellaway and published by Rocket Bird Books an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Ant Life has 32 pages
Yes it is part of Misunderstood Minibeasts series
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
©PTC International Ltd T/A LoveReading is registered in England. Company number: 10193437. VAT number: 270 4538 09. Registered address: 157 Shooters Hill, London, SE18 3HP. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
The National Year of Reading starts here. Join thousands of families and schools supporting reading for pleasure across the UK.