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"The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail (And an Even Smaller Ant)" by Avi

Illustrator:

Tricia Tusa

Publisher:

Harcourt, Inc. 2004

Reviewed by:

Roxane Bartelt, Kenosha Public Library

Avi has penned another great book for young readers, a modern fable. Avon the Snail reads a book everyday and loves reading about other creatures and the adventures they experience. It seems they always come back happy. Avon concludes that he must have adventures in order to be happy. As he prepares for his journey he meets Edward the Ant, who soon becomes his friend and joins Avon on his adventure. Through each short chapter, the author relates part of the adventure as Avon and Edward explore a branch - the two friends set off down the branch, they get lost and meet a variety of small creatures including a mouse they believe to be disguised as a dragon. When Avon and Edward have traveled half the length of the branch, Avon wakes up and notices that the spot they had spent the night looked “rather like his own neighborhood”. Edward explains to Avon, "You see, Avon, it all depends on you. If you want it to be different, it will be different. Don't look at the world with your eyes but with your heart." Throughout the narrative, Avi includes references to beginning and end, here or there, thick and thin, and gives the reader something to think about and discuss. Once the two Friends reach the end of the branch they share their thoughts, "The end of the branch," said Avon, mostly to himself. "The beginning of the sky, said Edward, mostly to himself,” Alas, the adventure is not over once the friends reach the end of the branch, as they know they must turn around and return home. Tricia Tusa's engaging pen and ink sketches are interspersed throughout the text. A delightful little book that provides a thought provoking, yet entertaining story.