The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail (and an Even Smaller Ant) by Avi. Orlando, Florida: Harcourt, 2004. ISBN: 0-1520-4968-1, 143 pages, $14.95 Reviewed by Connie Spickler

Newbery award winning author, Avi has written this tale for the delight of children looking for an adventure story in a lighthearted chapter book. Tricia Tusa, daughter of the well-known children's book illustrator, Tasha Tudor, illustrates the book with whimsical pen and ink drawings. Avi wrote a very different version of this story in 1972 under the title Snail Tale: The Adventures of a Small Snail. Parents of today's young readers may remember reading this version during their childhood and can again enjoy it with their children.

The adventure begins with Avon, the snail, and Edward, the ant, as they look to find the meaning of happiness by setting out on an adventure together. The story is light reading and humorous with the conversations between the snail and the ant discussing the "pace of life" and the progress they're making on their big adventure! Along the way they take in mini adventures with other characters - a salamander, a mouse whom they think is really a dragon is disguise, a caterpillar, a cricket and a worm to name a few.

The story is a modern day fable and the moral of the story is …! Check out the book to enjoy your own adventure with Avon and Edward in their search for true happiness. This book is written for children of all ages. Enjoy!

Next month's review: The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate written by Gary Chapman.