Picture Book Award 2026 shortlisted title
It’s another busy day at the ant hill. The farmer ants are collecting food, the worker ants are building tunnels and the soldier ants are guarding the queen.
But for Andy, it’s a very special day: it’s his birthday!
Word spreads for his “small gathering” and, in no time at all, thousands of ants arrive to bust their best moves and tuck into dips.
But as the party gets into full swing an unwanted guest arrives… The ants must work together to save the day (and the dips!)
Published by Walker Books
About the author
Ross Montgomery is the author of two other picture books illustrated by Sarah Warburton, Ten Delicious Teachers and Penguin Huddle.
His novel I Am Rebel won the Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year and was a New York Times bestseller, and The Midnight Guardians was the Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month. His books have been nominated for the Costa Children’s Book of the Year, the Branford Boase Award, the Laugh-Out-Loud Book Awards and the CILIP Carnegie Medal. He lives in London.
Find out more about Ross Montgomery here: http://rossmontgomery.co.uk/
Instagram: @mossmontmomery.
About the illustrator
Sarah Warburton is the illustrator of a number of popular titles which between them have been translated into 40 languages.
In addition to Ant Party, Ten Delicious Teachers and Penguin Huddle written by Ross Montgomery, she has also illustrated the Princess series by Caryl Hart, the Twinkle series by Katherine Holabird, One Camel Called Doug, Mavis the Bravest and Basil Dreams Big by Lu Fraser, and Dinosaurs in the Supermarket, Dinosaurs in my School and Pirates in the Supermarket by Timothy Knapman.
Sarah lives in Bristol with her family. Find out more about her here: http://www.sarahwarburtonillustrations.co.uk/
Instagram: @s_warburton_ish_.
Registered Charity Number: 1120177
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