A Beginning, a Muddle, and an End

May 1, 2008
Gr 4-6-Avon the snail discovers how difficult writing is when he attempts to describe his own adventure. He agonizes over what to write and then becomes totally flummoxed after getting one word on paper, and his friend Edward, an ant, tries to help by offering words of encouragement. What follows are two companions stumbling through a series of comical events ending in an adventure of their own. Smartly written, the story shows how Edward says one thing and Avon assumes another. Through this give-and-take banter, a cleverly laid point about writing is established. Avi's fans will find delight in the musings of Avon and Edward as they become wiser in their composing quest. Clever prose provides thought-provoking scenes full of wit and charm, and well-placed sketches add insightful visuals into the mood of the characters. Strong readers will make the connection between the characters' follies and lessons learned."Robyn Gioia, Bolles School, Ponte Vedra, FL"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2008
First introduced in the 2004 book The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail (and an Even Smaller Ant), Avon the Snail and Edward the Ant return, this time on a quest to write writing. Avon has decided to become an author, and Edward, with more ideas than practical ways to contribute, is determined to assist. The plot is minimal, and exists only as a field on which Avi engages in every manner of wordplay, crafting an early chapter book that sits squarely between Peggy Parishs Amelia Bedelia stories andAbbot and Costellos Whos on First? routine. The small trim size, large typeface, and Tusas sweet pencil sketches suggest an audience even younger than the target readership, though some of them wont catch all the puns. But its easy to imagine the right child sitting at the dinner table or in the back seat of the car, or traipsing through the grocery store, exhausting the patience of assembled, captive family with a word-for-word account of Avon and Edwards hilarious exploits.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2008
Avon the snail is an aspiring writer, but what to write, he doesn't know. He discusses his dilemma with Edward the ant, but their conversations move in philosophical circles and accomplish very little. In this brief text about writing and writer's block, the plot takes a back seat to persistent wordplay. Friendly black-and-white spot art gives personality to the pals.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)