But I Don't Eat Ants - Hardcover

KIRKUS REVIEW
An anthropomorphic anteater enjoys many foods but is vehemently opposed to eating ants.
Capital letters are used throughout, beginning with the initial page: "I AM AN ANTEATER AND I LOVE TO EAT." Bright graphics that have the appearance of digital animation show a friendly-looking, gray critter in a waistcoat, its long, red ribbon of a tongue snaking out over a table full of colorful, human foods: a burger on a bun; a pink, triple-layer cake; a bowl of fruit; some sort of pie. On the next double-page spread, readers learn that, like people, this anteater eats three meals a day--and does not eat ants. After a double-page spread full of foodstuffs, there is a droll illustration of anteaters sitting at a place-matted table, with all but one sucking ants out of individual jars labeled, "ANTS." The protagonist is munching--or tonguing--hot dogs and fries. There follow pages of clever, anti-ant-eating wordplay, with matching, funny artwork. For example: "TORTELLINI? TOTALLINI!" shouts the anteater as it whizzes by on a skateboard, one paw on board, the other with a tortellini noodle on a fork. Other cheerful-looking creatures add to the fun. A wry commentary on other animals' diets yields the observation that "JAGUARS EAT ANTEATERS, BUT THEY AREN'T CALLED ANTEATER-EATERS." An apron-clad mother anteater plays an important part in a punch line that will garner knowing nods and grins.
Funny, light, and whimsical. (Picture book. 3-6)

"Koala Bears aren't called Eucalyptus-eaters. Panda Bears aren't called Bamboo-eaters. Jaguars eat Anteaters, but they aren't called Anteater-eaters!" insists a voracious young Anteater who will gobble up just about every food except for one: ants! This clever take on the picky-eater is full of wry humor and silly puns as the anteater takes us through the food he LOVES to eat, all while repeating the refrain, "but I don't eat ants." That is until dinnertime when his mom presents him with with a "fiery" surprise. The final punchline playfully depicts the often illogical rationalizations of young picky eaters in a way that will have kids and their parents laughing.