Amazing Anthony Ant

There is no doubt about it: Anthony is one antic ant. And his creators have made sure that young readers will be kept similarly busy. This entertaining book offers a familiar song to sing (``The ants came marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah . . . ''); four flaps to lift on each spread (revealing different endings to the corresponding stanza); a sequence of underground mazes to follow; and the Waldo-esque challenge to find Anthony in each picture. It is Anthony, rather than the traditional ``little one,'' who stops marching during the song, and the authors have devised some kid-pleasing reasons why he does. Marching ``five by five,'' he stops to ``go for a drive''; ``visit a hive''; ``jiggle and jive''; or ``take a dive.'' Behind the flaps, amusing illustrations show Anthony engaged in the specified activities. Also diverting are the minute particulars worked into the mazes, which are packed with tiny, bustling ants--and plenty of puns and plays on words. A paper-over-board format and sturdy pages will help this volume withstand repeated flap-lifting by eager little hands. Ages 5-8. (Apr.)