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This tale opens when Fourmi's mother introduces him to Dr. Terrapeut, a therapist. Fourmi, whose name means ant in French, is just three days old. He isn't quite certain what anthood is or how exactly to be an ant. He hasn't passed ant school and despairs that he knows nothing about anthood at all. He didn't even pass his digging test or his "How to Run from Humans" exam. Worse, his annoying younger sister is prepared for her exams and doesn't want to help him practice for a retake, as Dr. Terrapeut suggests. She doesn't even care if he's banished to the grass! Fourmi is forced to check his sister's notes after she falls asleep. He reads until he's memorized what he failed, but alas, can't find any notes for "Carrying Big Things." Fourmi doubts himself during his retake the next day but finds renewed confidence in his positive thoughts that put him back in the ant business.
Engaging, colorful illustrations, and a quirky protagonist similar to the characters of the late 1990s animated films A Bug's Life and Antz are sure to captivate young minds and hearts. The content will appeal to a middle-grade audience ready to handle the concepts it promotes. The complicated, evocative tale is appropriate in a home or school setting with parents or teachers guiding the exploration of self-esteem and life goals. Combining a picture book format with an advanced, rambling text makes this book a read-to if presented to younger children, since it's not a simple tale they can read themselves. Readers will undoubtedly hope for another installment of predicaments and rites of passage that this insect hero can overcome.