SOLVED. YA Fantasy. Children become the size of ants and learn their society mores. [s]

[Lora]

I read this book in the early to mid 70s. I don't believe it was too very old at that time.

A group of children become the size of ants and join an ant colony. I remember the ants called humans "Mashers" or something like that, because humans would step on ants. Another thing I remember is that the ants felt to allow oneself to be eaten was dishonorable, as it served to strengthen the enemies of the colony. They would grieve the death of any member unless they had "allowed" themselves to be eaten, in which case they were spoken of with derision. Wasps are lethal enemies. Aphids are herd animals.

I keep thinking the word "Storm", or maybe "The Eye of the Storm", is connected, maybe in the title or maybe from the cover picture. What I remember from the dust cover is that it was entirely black, or maybe very dark blue or green, but dark and solid, except for an eye in the upper center of the front. It was a full-sized novel, not a short story. The ideas in this story have stuck with me for over 40 years and I have searched for it often. I wanted to get it for my daughter but couldn't find it, and now I would like to get it for my grandchildren.

Thanks for any help you can give.

[Ayshe]

The City Under the Back Steps by Evelyn Sibley Lampman looks to be it?

[Kelly]

Knee-deep in Thunder, by Sheila Moon? There were also two sequels.

[Rosa]

Knee-Deep in Thunder for the link.

[Rosa]

The Once and Future King has a part like this.

[Rainbowheart]

Still looking, Lora?

[Rainbowheart]

The Boys Who Vanished?

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Lora, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Rainbowheart]

Ladis and the Ant is another along these lines.

[Rainbowheart]

Ants' Castle?

Little Black Ant?

[Rainbowheart]

Sarah's Nest?

But that one wasn't pubbed until '81.

[Rainbowheart]

The Extraordinary Adventures of Karik and Valya?

[Lora]

Kelly wrote: "Knee-deep in Thunder, by Sheila Moon? There were also two sequels."

Thank you for this. Knee Deep in Thunder is the one! I'm amazed.

[Lora]

Lobstergirl wrote: "Lora, are you still looking for this or did you find it?"

Knee Deep in Thunder was the book. Thank you guys!