The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail

by Avi, Tricia Tusa (Illustrator)

Avon the snail has never had an adventure. And adventure, he has heard, is the key to a happy life. So with his new friend Edward the ant, Avon sets out on a journey to find the excitement his life has been missing.
This modern fable is filled with funny--and profound--insights about the meaning of things . . . great and small.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Animals, Middle Grade, Young Adult

143 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

Avi is a pen name for Edward Irving Wortis, but he says, "The fact is, Avi is the only name I use." Born in 1937, Avi has created many fictional favorites such as The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Nothing but the Truth, and the Crispin series. His work is popular among readers young and old.

Reviews

[Cheryl Rainfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love humor when it tickles my funny bone. The End of the Beginning really appealed to me, and I think it will appeal both to young children for the incredible silliness and young child’s sense of humor, as well as to adults for the bits of deep wisdom and truisms that are woven throughout the story.

Avon, a snail who loves to read, gets really sad because he’s never had an adventure like all the characters he’s read about in books. So he decides to find himself an adventure, and he, along with Edward, an ant who’s lived in his house for a year but who he’s never spoken to, set out to find adventures, traveling slowly at Avon’s snail pace. They come to the end of a branch, meet up with a mouse they decide is a dragon in disguise, teach a cricket to sing a different song, and race another snail. They return home (which they think is an enchanted castle) happy, and each a friend richer.

I love the way the story opens, with Avon the snail reading books and enjoying them; this is a validation of readers and book lovers. From there, Avi moves us into tongue-in-cheek humor and playful silliness with sense turned on its head, and, woven throughout it all, bits of wisdom and truth. There are truths that children will easily pick up on, and truths and humor that will resonate more with older readers and adults. The silliness is innocent, young, and appears on most pages, making the book light and easy to read.

read my entire review here.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first saw this book, I was sure that it would be below my reading level. And, sure enough, it was by a mile, but I still loved it! Maybe I'll look back on this in a few years and think, "I dunno, I think it's kinda boring now," but I loved the earnest personalities in both the characters! To give a quick brief on the story plot, Avon the Small Snail meets Edward the Tiny Ant, and they go looking for adventures. Yup. Simplest story plot ever, but I have fallen in love with the characters, the illustrations, the style of storytelling--I just loved this book.
Let me emphasize that if you don't like books that are a bit either below your reading level or have kind of predictable plots, this probably isn't your kind of book. It's funny, because I'm that way--but I know I can read this to my little sisters, and we'll both keel over in giggles. I loved this book. Avon earnestly searched for an adventure, and Edward bossed him around in an earnest sort of way, without meaning to. I usually love Avi's books.
I finished it in about 15 minutes, and hope to read it to my sisters soon.

[G. Buckner · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

To tell you how much I love this book, I'll tell a story. In kindergarten, my school's library had a "lava section" for each grade. This was where, in my case, as a kindergartener, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade books were. We weren't allowed to go into the lava section (there was a joke about being "burnt up"). I loved reading, and most of the books in the kindergarten were boring. But, our librarian, Mr. Jones (who was, by the way, the best, he influenced my love of reading a lot), noticed that I was bored with the kindergarten books, and gave me permission to get books from the lava section. This was a big deal! Out of all the kids in my grade (and this was a big school, mind you), I was the only one allowed in the lava section! I went and looked on the shelves. The first book I read from the lava section was the first book on the shelves: The End of the Beginning. I loved it. It was the longest book I'd ever read, up until then, and it probably took me several weeks to finish it. Who doesn't love a story about a snail and an ant? I probably read it three or four times that year alone. I really need to reread it, and then I'll say more about the actual book. :D

[Charlie Headley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute. It is about a small snail and an even smaller ant.

[Stephanie galvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The End of the Beginning by Avi is about a snail named Avon who is looking to have some adventures in his life like the ones he reads about in his books. When attempting to start his adventures, Avon meets Edward the ant. Together, Avon and Edward set off on there travels. Along the way, Edward and Avon run into several other creaters; a worm being one of them. When the two friends stumble apon a worm who has forgotten which end was his beginning and which was his end, Edward helps the worm by tickling its ends with a leaf to see which one would sneeze. Eventually, their trip leads Edward and Avon to the end of the branch, or rather, what they declear to be the end of the sky. In the end, their adventures help Avon learn that where he is, is exactly where he wanted to be.
I found this to be a very cute book. It was definitly a change from the other Avi books that I have read so far. Although, I do not understand how this is a childers' book simply because I do not think a child would be able to comperhend the numerous puns throughout the story. This makes me wonder if some childern books aren't actually written for the childern at all, but for the parents who are reading to them. But, untheless, I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone looking to have a laugh.

[Andrea Renfrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I have to admit... not all the children's books I read and review involve reading to my child. There, I said it! The older I get the more inclined I am to sit down with a good children's book and devour it in one sitting, feeling refreshed, enthused, and not so old. The End of the Beginning is one such book. I read it over my lunch at work today and I have not felt so fulfilled by an hour of my time in quite a while. I'm looking forward to discovering the sequel in the stacks one day... read it again out loud to the kiddo in February of 2017, such a wonderful experience.

[Lola Salamah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This science fiction book by Avi is incredibly entertaining and very witty. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and will re-read it again with my 11 year old daughter as she enjoys the same type of books as I do. This book is about a snail who decides he wants to have an adventure that he is always reading about. Side-note: I love that the book started off with a snail who loves to read! This only captures any avid readers' attention even more from the very start! The snail, named Avon, meets Edward the ant and the two begin their adventure together, and along the way meet several creatures. Each interaction was humorous and although children of all ages may not comprehend the wittiness or the truisms in the book, there are points to be grasped at all levels. As Avon and Edward make their way through their adventure, they become good friends and surprisingly find their way back home but think it is a castle in disguise. The illustrations in the book were simple yet engaging . I think this is a great classroom book for grades 2 and perhaps up to 5th grade. The reading level is not difficult however, the humor in the book might attract older elementary aged readers. Since the book is broken up into very small chapters, it would be easy to set this book as a read aloud and read a few of their adventures each day.

[Lisa Houlihan]

I haven't liked many of Avi's books, including his Newbery-winner Crispin, but this is an exception. I spotted it on the shelf when I succumbed to Sounder, one of two or three Medalists I haven't read (because there's canine mortality, isn't there?). Armstrong is near Avi, and I glanced again at Avi because I saw that Crispin has a sequel.

It's a story more for adults than children, more so even than Harold and the Purple Crayon. Its illustrations are charming and so are the microministories, wordplay, and worldplay.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief story of a snail and an ant that embark on an adventure together. The animals seem to be adults, since the snail owns his own house and lives by himself, and the ant is a philosopher. There is some witty dialogue but it is, unfortunately, not accompanied by any real plot. Child readers will likely be disappointed by the lack of promised adventure (though the ant and snail believe they did have an adventure). I do not find the ending satisfying since the magical explanation seems out of character for the ant, and surely the snail would recognize his own home.

[Abby]

Although I am partial to this tradition in kid lit and to Avi, I have to give this an overall thumbs down. It's play with language was a little forced, and if it had a profound message to deliver, it was not adequately propped up by interesting events. Better luck next time, Avi.

[Annalee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick little “chapter” book. Cute enough, but I don’t think Lucy would enjoy it as a read-aloud since she’d try to make too much sense of the nonsense. James and the Giant Peach would be more worth the time.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this wasn't the best middle grade book I've ever read, I'm forever grateful for it. It's the first chapter book my 8-yr-old consented to pick up and read. She loved it so much (short chapters, silly nonsensical stories, cute pictures scattered throughout) that she begged me to read it to her with her sisters.

[Tamara York · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of sweet and kind of cute. But coming on the heels of Winnie the Pooh, it just feel flat. This book had some Pooh-like qualities, but in a more watered down form. It might have been a 4 star read aloud if we had read it at a different time. Just okay.

[Jolee B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will take the average adult approximately 40 min to read. 😂 It is super short and super sweet. There are some great little life lessons in this story of adventure and friendship. Have your kids read it, or read it together. You’ll all enjoy it.

[Kyisha Walter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very quick read but very cute. I sat and read it all at once and enjoyed the vibe greatly. It reminded me of many forest-set adventures that I have read but much more compact. Very positive morals.

[Milabooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

La aventura que experimenta el caracol Carlos junto a su amigo la hormiga Eduardo, esta llena de pequeñas enseñanzas de vida, que pueden ser interpretadas de diferentes formas.
Es un libro que está calificado para niños, sin embargo, creo que es una lectura atractiva para adultos, debido a que te enseña a que si ves las cosas desde otro punto de vista o si adoptas una actitud positiva, puedes cambiar la perspectiva de todo lo que te rodea.

"Perderse es muy fácil; eso pasa a cada momento. Lo más difícil de todo es encontrarse."

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny little story with lots of play on words. I will read it to my grade 3 class.

[Emileigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was darling.

[Miriam Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

So adorable I think I died

[Kelsey Kersting]

Cute read aloud with the kids. Lots of giggles!

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of our copies at the library was suggested that we get rid of this. So my boss started reading and she kept coming out laughing. One of my coworkers decided to read it and then suggested that I read this book. So glad she did!
I read the first few chapters and I was dying laughing! If a book can make me laugh from the beginning, then I know it's going to be a great read :)
This was a great book!

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

These little, delightful tales, following two friends (a snail and an ant) in their travels along the branches of a tree, are full of wit, wisdom, and nonsense, reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh, The Little Prince, Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, and Arnold Lobel’s Owl At Home and Frog and Toad series. The world hasn’t seen such a pair of traveling friends since Boswell and Dr. Johnson!

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super cute book that my middle school student recommended to me. He said it was a childhood favorite and he encouraged me to find a copy and read it. I'm so glad he did. Avon the snail loves reading books, especially books about adventures and he longs for adventures of his own. He meets Edward the Ant and Edward convinces him to set off on an adventure and he ends up joining him. I was hooked as soon as the story opened with a lover of books--I knew that Avon was my kind of snail. Each chapter is a mini-adventure that would make a perfect read-aloud story for children. The silliness, humor, and bits of wisdom woven throughout are something both adults and children can appreciate. The illustrations are simple but fun, and I found myself smiling throughout. I discovered at the end that there is a second book, so I've already requested it from my library. It's a Hoopla book, so I don't get the feel of the pages in my hand, but at least I can read it!

[C&C Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

IF YOU LIKED THIS TRY...

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this from beginning to end only because of curiosity. It was very short which is good because the writing grated on my nerves. I gave it 3 stars because it did make me think. You can have a grand adventure without leaving your neighborhood. It is all in perspective. I suppose I can’t expect a snail or an ant to have great intellect, even a literate one. Come to think of it I am not even sure how to put into words why this story bothered me so much. I almost stopped reading a few times but I kept telling myself “It’s almost over. Surely it can’t continue much more.” Or I would think, if I don’t finish I will never know if the snail actually has a great adventure. So I finished it. I recommend this to anyone who is curious and has a few minutes to walk in circles.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this little story. It made me smile. Half-way through I stopped reading it, gathered my children around me and started over from the beginning. The humor found in the story really appealed to my third-grader. She chuckled right along side of me. (My kindergartner didn't quite "get it".) But, still, the story has something for all readers. Silliness that young children can appreciate and wise lessons adults can learn from. I recommend this book for all. (It can be read in one to two sittings, depending on if you are reading aloud to young children.)

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt sorry for this book, having had it as part of various book displays in my school library for a number of months so I took it home and tried to read this with my kids (ages 9 and 11) but neither one of them really enjoyed it much so I finished it on my own. It’s a cute little tale about cute little animals and not a lot happens but it’s all rather sweet. It really appeals to the parent over the child I think so it’s a fail for kids and a (moderate) win for adults which is landing this squarely in the middle as I don’t know where else to put the star rating.

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent way of using words and shift the meaning of words. I would relate this book to the story behind "Green Eggs and Ham" and "Frank and Ernest" cartoon strip, along w/the humor of "There is a Hair in My Dirt" by Gary Larson.

Avi use of words and word meanings and the idea of an ant and a snail going on an adventure.

A Must read.

[Bird · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. I read this last night before bed, and the only reason I finished the blasted thing is because (thankfully) it is very short. The book is trying incredibly hard to be both cheeky and philosophical, and it fails on both fronts. Instead, it comes off as completely ridiculous, and not in a makes-me-chuckle kind of way, either.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read the book thinking it would be a cute children's story. Instead was just a very simple story that did not go anywhere very fast. Just a simple tale of an ant and snail that go for an "adventure" but just aimlessly walking having pointless conversations with one another. I was kind of bored with this book, not sure what the appeal is.