Title: Fourmi the Ant
Author: Akshita Kakumanu
Publisher: PageTurner Press and Media
ISBN: 978-1649085054
Genre: Children’s Fiction / Illustrated
Pages: 24
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert
Hollywood Book Reviews
Fourmi the Ant presents a charming tale that will delight youthful readers up to age 12, with a narrative which wholesomely and creatively challenges young minds to face their personal obstacles in life with enthusiasm, persistence, and hard work. Moreover, this work was written by Akshita Kakumanu, a young author herself, who desires to enable other young readers to be persistent and to stand in their own power in life.
Entirely a likable story from the start, the cover art immediately catches the eye with the appealing image of a friendly, smiling ant holding a briefcase, wearing a top hat and bow tie while standing in tall green grass. Next, onto the story itself within which author Kakumanu proceeds to nimbly engage young minds, with intriguing events unfolding as the story is told from Fourmi’s perspective. The narrative starts out by introducing an apparently emotionally frustrated Fourmi, taken by his mom to see the ant therapist.
Why? Because being an ant is not easy for Fourmi, although his parents are ants, and his sister is an ant, he just does not feel like, behave or believe he is an ant, especially considering the fact that he does not seem to be able to pass the series of tests that ants are required to take in order to pass ant school. Moreover, as a consequence of his lack of self-esteem, as well as lack of motivation, Fourmi also does not eat enough to sustain his personal energy which is the primary reason for seeing the ant therapist. Additionally, if Fourmi does not pass ant school there are consequences that would be devastating.
Altogether Fourmi the Ant by author Akshita Kakumanu made for a great youth-orientated read, which I found very enjoyable and worthy of sharing with my own children. Author Kakumanu provides a great story with great insight into life in general with an overall story ripe with teachable moments particularly pointing to one very important life lesson that should be employed, by children as well as adults, which is to never give up on yourself. The story flows well with intermittent colorful, well-designed illustrations that easily catch the eye. And the characterizations, in general, are wonderfully realistic, especially with Fourmi’s somewhat snarky sister, as well as that of Fourmi, who comes across as a likable, relatable, and altogether sympathetic character. Furthermore, another great addition to the tale is the culturally inclusive addition of the names for the characters which means ant in other languages, such as the family last name “Hormiga” which means ant in Spanish as well as the name “Fourmi” which means ant in French.
This is definitely a wonderfully empowering book to add to your children’s library and I do highly recommend it.