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ANTE ROOM

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ANTS IN PANTS

9 788378 290674

danger at the circus

THE runaway DOG
the secret of the spooky house
the goofed up science project

S
CON DO

DR. FEELERS - ANTENNA REPA IR

Look for Andy Ant in his other books, too!

Y L AN D PA R K

Lawn Mower on the Loose

lawn mower on the loose

One day, Joey meets someone very special, who immediately becomes
his best friendAndy Ant. Andy is a small philosopher and Joey constantly
learns from him a new way of looking at the world. Even when they first meet,
and when when there is nearly a tragic accident involving a lawnmower,
Joey finds out that everyone is responsible for their actions. Read to find
out how it happened!

ISBN 978-83-7829-067-4

IR
Y

DETO UR

A N TR A C K D E P O T

CAUTION
RO OT
TRIMM ING

ANTRHOPOLO GY

GRAND ANT THEATER

CHARLIES ANT ANTY MAMME

A little ant with big ideas, and his human friend Joey
will delight your children with their exciting adventures.
The imaginative stories in these fun, colorful books will both entertain
your children and help them learn valuable lessons
that every kid should know.

lawn mower on the loose

runaway ants
the swimming hole disaster
the band music mystery

EXPRESS

JOEYS HOME

ANDYS HOME

Mr. DAVIS
HOME
Creator: Lawrence W. ONan created Andy Ant in the 1970s when he told bed-time
stories to his children. He developed Andy Ant to assist him in instilling values and
providing an imaginary hero for his two daughters. He regularly lectures and teaches
on subjects dealing with values. He and his family reside in California, where is he is
a fund raising consultant with nonprofit organizations.
Author: Gerald D. ONan is the author of the Andy Ants stories. The stories are
based on events that occurred during his childhood and individuals who played important roles in his life as a child. He actively works with children in his community
as a teacher and storyteller and also teaches seminars in public and private schools
on creative writing and storytelling. He and his family reside in Colorado, where he
is an attorney.
Illustrator: Norman McGary is an internationally recognized illustrator. He began
his career in 1957 when he illustrated childrens books for Walt Disney and became
known for his illustrations in 101 Dalmatians and Sleeping Beauty. His career also includes extensive work with Hanna-Barbera Productions, Warner Brothers, and Jeremiah Films. He resides in California, where he continues to illustrate many projects.

ANDYS
SWIMMING HOLE

ANDYS
ROOM

FAMILY
ROOM

ANT SCHOOL

JOEYS
SCHOOL

STORM
DRAIN

INSIDE
ANDYS HOME
PORCH
STEP

SIDEWALK

HALLWAY

DINING ROOM

Dear

ebody
Not too long ago I met som
ended
he
d
an
t
en
er
ff
di
ly
al
re
as
w
who
y time
up being my best friend. Ever
new.
Im with him I learn something
a philoMaybe thats because he is
rson who
sopher. A philosopher is a pe
.
has really important thoughts
he
The very first day I met him
e
taught me that you cant blam

istakes.
m
n
ow
u
yo
r
fo
se
el
y
od
eb
som
I hope you learn as much from
Andy as I have.

Sincerely,
Joey

Lawn Mower on the Loose

Created by Lawrence W. ONan
Written by Gerald D. ONan
Illustrated by Norman McGary
Dedicated to Caroline Irene ONan

Vocatio PUBLISHING HOUSE

Warsaw

Hi. My name is Joseph Tyler Johnson. But you can call me Joey.
Thats what my best friend calls me. My best friend is probably
a lot different from yours cause hes an ant. His name is Andy.
I just met Andy last year, you see, Andy is nine years old, and
he and his family live under the sidewalk in front of my house. His
room is right next to the crack by the edge of the sidewalk. Andy
says he has a room with a view, cause he can see whats going
on outside.

Andys fourteen-year-old brother, Parker, has a much bigger room. It doesnt have
windows, but Parker doesnt mind.
No windows means he can play music on his stereo as
loud as he wants to Andys dad is a construction worker ant.
He works over at the vacant lot, where theyre building a whole
bunch of ant condominiums. Andys mom works in downtown
Grand Ant.

Oh, I almost forgot. Andy has an eleven-year-old sister named

Angelica. She is one of the most popular girl ants in school.
Let me tell you how I met Andy Ant for the very first time. It
was a special Saturdayone that I had been looking forward to
for a long time. You see, it was the day I was going to sign up for
Junior Soccer.
I kind of wanted to go sign up by myself, but dad said he didnt
think I was old enough to do that. So he went with me. The school
gym was crowded with other kids and there parents, and I wasnt
sure which line we should stand in. There were lines for how old
you are, and lines for the first letter of your last name, and lines

to sign up for uniforms. Wow! I

was glad dad had come along. He
knew just which line to stand in. If
he hadnt been there, I might have
stood in the wrong line all day and
never gotten my uniform!
Anyway, soon we were on our
way back home and I was carrying
my brand new soccer uniform. As
soon as we got home, I ran to my
room and tried it on. Boy! It looked
even better than I thought it would.

I grabbed my soccer ball and ran outside to try

out the uniform. I had to make sure it really fit,
you know. Just then some other kids who had
signed up that morning came by. They asked if
I wanted to practice kicking the ball. They had
their new uniforms on, too, and we all looked
pretty neat.
We started running around the yard, kicking
the ball. We liked to kick it real hard. Sometimes we kicked it
so hard that it flew next door, into Mr. Daviss yard. Once it even

10

flew into Mr. Robinsons yard, and he lives on the other side of
Mr. Davis!
It seemed that the better we got at kicking the ball, the more we
had to go get it out of Mr. Daviss yard. But we werent kicking the
ball very straight because it usually landed right in Mr. Daviss flower garden!
I was afraid Mr. Daviss flower garden wouldnt look like much
of a flower garden if we kept kicking the ball. So I said we should
stop. But the other kids said it wouldnt really hurt the flowers.
They said that by tomorrow morning the flowers would all be

11

standing tall again. So we kept on

kicking and the ball kept on landing in the garden.
After a while, the other kids
had to go home. I was having
such a great time I just kept
kicking the ball by myself. And
thats when it happened. The
ball rolled over on the sidewalk by the front steps. As I

bent down to pick it up, I heard a voice ask, You dont really think
Mr. Daviss flowers will be fine by tomorrow, do you?
I looked around in surprise. I didnt see anyone. Then I looked
down at my balland there he was. A little ant, leaning up against
the crack in the sidewalk, holding a tiny soccer ball.
Normally, I just squash ants. But this ant was differenthe was
actually talking to me! And I couldnt exactly squash someone who
was talking to me, could I?
Well, do you? the ant repeated.
Do I what? I said, hardly believing what was happening.
Do you really think Mr. Daviss flowers will be fine by tomorrow? He looked at the flowers. They look ruined to me,
I looked at the flowers, too. No, I said, theyll be OK. The
other kids said so. I dont think you heard me, the ant continued.
I was asking what you thought
Well, I began, at first I thought the ball would hurt the flowers, but then the kids said-

Now look. Joey, the ant said in a low voice that sounded like my dads voice when hes
doing some serious talking. Do you always let
the other kids make your decisions?
How do you know my name? I blurted
out, hardly listening to what he was saying. He
smiled at me.

Ive seen you around a lot. My family and I live right here under your sidewalk. By the way, he added with a bigger smile, my
names Andy Ant, He reached out to shake my hand. And you
really ought to be more careful where you kick the ball.
Yeah, I guess youre right; I said, still unable to believe I was
talking to an ant who actually knew me.

Say, he said, if youre finished practicing,

would you mind if a few of us practiced soccer
on your lawn?
Sure, go ahead, I said.
Thanks, Joey. Andy said. Then he turned
and hollered, Hey guys, its OK!

All of a sudden, a bunch of ants came crawling out of the crack in

the sidewalk, Some of them were wearing soccer jerseys that had
Grand Ant Soccer printed on them. Wow! I thought. A real ant
soccer team?
I watched Andy and his friends for a few minutes. I didnt understand how they could enjoy playing in the grass, especially when it
was so tall. But they seemed to be having a good time.

After a while, I walked back to the house and went into the kitchen
to get something to eat. Mom and my sister, Becky, were there.
They thought my uniform was pretty neat. We even talked for a
while about the fun I would have playing soccer.
But I didnt really hear what they were saying. I just kept wondering what they would do If I told them about Andy Ant. Theyd
probably just think I was crazy!
Joey, my mom said. Why dont you go show dad your uniform?
Hes outside mowing the front lawn.
Sure, mom, I said. Then I froze. Mowing the front lawn? Oh,
my goodness! Andy and the Grand Ant soccer team were playing
ball in the front yard! I ran out the door as fast as I could. But by

18

the time I got outside, dad had finished with the lawn and was
standing by the fence, talking with Mr. Davis.
I walked all around the yard, looking for some trace of Andy or
his friends, At first I didnt see anything. But then I looked by the
sidewalk and there it wasthe little soccer ball, all shredded up
by the lawn mower. Joseph, would you come over here? my dad

19

said, but I didnt really hear him. I just continued to

look around the yard, afraid of what Id see next.
Joseph, come here, please! my dad demanded.
I slowly walked toward him, still looking around.
Joseph, did you and your friends trample Mr. Daviss
flower garden? Suddenly dad had my full attention, and
I felt my face turning red.
Uh, yes, sir. I guess we did.
Would you care to explain how that happened? dad
asked, and I could tell he wasnt very pleased.
Well, we were practicing kicking the ball and it always
seemed to go too far. But the other kids said the flowers would be better by tomorrow. They will be better, wont they?
I asked, turning to Mr. Davis.
Joseph, my dads voice was really stern by now. You
know the flowers wont be any better by tomorrow. I think
youd better tell Mr. Davis that youre sorry and then go to
your room. Ill be there in a few minutes to talk with you.

I apologized and headed for my room.

There was still no sign of Andy or
the soccer team, and I felt almost sick
with worry. I wanted to stay outside
and keep looking for my new friends.
But one look in dads direction told me
Id better keep marching toward my
room.
I stood at the window of my room,
looking out at the yard. Mom always
told me that God keeps his eye on the
sparrows. I hoped he watched out for
ants, too. Just then a thumping noise caught my attention. I glanced
down just in time to see Andy banging on the glass of the window
with both hands.
I opened the window as fast as I could. Andy! Are you all right?
Yeah, he said, almost yelling at me, But its no thanks to you!
Why didnt you tell us your dad was going to mow the lawn? The
whole Grand Ant soccer team was almost mowed down. Youre just
lucky no one got seriously hurt! And you owe us a soccer ball!
Im sorry, I didnt know dad was mowing the lawn. I felt a lump
in my throat Looks like Im in trouble with everyone.
Who else are you in trouble with? Andy asked.
My dad and Mr. Davis, I said, feeling pretty low. You were
right. The flowers are ruined.
Just then we heard footsteps out in the hall, and Andy jumped
behind the curtain. There was a knock at my door and my dad
said, Joseph, may I come in?

22

Yes, I said. He came in and we sat

on my bed together,
Son, Im sure you know it was wrong
for you kids to kick the ball into Mr.
Daviss flower bed, he said. It looks as
though the ball must have landed there
several times. I nodded.
But I want you to know, he went on, how proud I am that you
told the truth. So I wont punish you if you will help Mr. Davis
plant some new flowers. But in the future, I want you to remember that you have to decide for yourself whats right and whats
wrongregardless of what other kids may say. Youre the one
who is responsible for what you do.
Then he reached over and gave me a big hug. Its almost time
for you to go to bed. he said, smiling. How about if I help you
learn to kick the ball straight tomorrow?
That would be great, dad! I said, feeling a little better.
He left and I looked over at the window, remembering that Andy
was there. He was peeking out from behind the curtain.

24

Andy ..., I started, but he stepped out,

shaking his head,
Before you say anything, he said, in his
low, serious, philosophers voice, I want
you to know that the problem with the lawn
mower wasnt your fault. Your dad was right
that we each are responsible for our own actions. You see, I
heard the lawn mower and I should have known that it wouldnt
be safe to stay in the yard.
I smiled at him, feeling a whole lot better.
I think we both learned something valuable Andy went on,
and I nodded,
Youre right, I said. I learned that Im going to do whats
right, no matter what someone else say. And I learned that its
important to tell the truth when you do mess up
Pretty good, Andy said, just like a teacher does when you
give the right answer in school.

I smiled at him and remembered something

else Id learned that day. I started to tell Andy,
but he was busy talking about responsibility
and why it was so important, so I decided not
to bother him.
All the same, I felt warm inside because
Id learned that my dad is a neat guy to have
around. You know, for things like helping you
to find the right line to stand in and for being
proud of you. And I was looking forward to tomorrow, and learning how to kick the ball right. I knew it was going to be a good
day!

Mom

Dickter

Uncle Andrew

Parker

Angelica

Dad

Your Friend,
Andy
Andys Family (Me)

Mom

Dad

Freckles

Becky

Dwayne
Your Friend,
Joey
Joeys Family (Me)

The Adventures of Andy Ant

Lawn Mower on the Loose

Copyright 1995 by Andy Ant Productions, Inc.

10951 W. Center Ave., Lakewood, CO 80226, U.S.A.
All rights reserved

Copyright for the English edition

(excluding North America)
1996 by VOCATIO PUBLISHING HOUSE
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or any portions thereof, in any form.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic
or mechanical, magnetic, chemical, optical, manual, or otherwise, including photocopying, recording,
or by any information storage or retrieval system without prior written permission from VOCATIO.
For the permission please contact:
VOCATIO PUBLISHING HOUSE
Polnej Ry 1
02-798 Warsaw
POLAND
e-mail: ceo@vocatio.us
www.vocatio.us
Printed in Poland

ISBN 978-83-7829-067-4