Toby Speed

"Crawly Bug crept over the sill and stole a crumb from Mama's hot pie. He carried it back to the nest.

"'Yum,' said his dozens of brothers and sisters. They got in line and wriggle-jigged over the daisies, under the milkweed, over the crab grass, under the chicory, up the trellis, and over the sill.

"One by one they took a crumb. And the pie disappeared."

That is the beginning of the first picture book I wrote. I didn't know it was a picture book at first. My editor at a magazine that published my stories suggested I try to sell it as a book. And that's what I did.

I had a good time writing this story. I guess I know a lot about ants! Living in the Pine Barrens of Long Island means having ants as part of the family.

One day some years ago I was taking care of one of my babies (I don't remember which one) and I didn't sweep up the kitchen floor after breakfast. I came back later to find a corn flake walking slowly across the floor. I bent down to look. Yes, it was definitely walking -- right toward the patio door!

Carefully I picked up the corn flake and looked underneath. Three ants were carrying it on their shoulders!!

I thought to myself, "They will be heroes when they get back to the nest." And that's how I got the idea for CRAWLY BUG.

This was a Weekly Reader Book Club book a long time ago. It may be hard to find.