The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail (and an Even Smaller Ant)
What’s inside...
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. The travelers meet all manner of wise, weird, and intriguing creatures--including a dragon!--and it's not long before their adventures begin. In the tradition of such classics as The Little Prince, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and Winnie-the-Pooh, this completely original story--a modern fable for our time--brims with wit, wisdom, and profound insights about the meaning of things . . . great and small.
Age
5-8
Length
143 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Avon
Edward
Discussion points
What do you think Avon the snail and Edward the ant learned about friendship during their journey?
How do you feel about how Avon and Edward helped each other overcome obstacles?
What was your favorite part of the adventure, and why?
If you could join Avon and Edward on one of their adventures, what would you like to explore?
How do you think the story would change if it was from the perspective of another character?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the themes of friendship and cooperation in the story to their own experiences with friends.
Discuss the different challenges Avon and Edward face and ask your child how they might handle similar situations.
Use the vivid descriptions in the book to ask your child to imagine and describe their own fantastical adventure.
Prompt your child to think creatively by asking how they would solve problems if they were characters in the book.
After reading, ask your child to draw a scene from the book they found particularly interesting or fun, discussing what made it special.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: The story showcases the journey of a snail and an ant who, despite their differences, forge a strong friendship and support each other.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of embracing diversity and helping friends through the ups and downs of life.
Example Lesson: Perseverance and resilience
Explanation: Throughout their adventures, the snail and the ant encounter various challenges but they persistently move forward, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to keep trying in the face of difficulties, whether it be completing a challenging school project or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and exploration
Explanation: The protagonists’ journey is driven by their curiosity about the world around them, leading to many discoveries and adventures.
Real-World Application: This instills a sense of exploration and inquisitiveness in children, urging them to learn more about their environment and seek new experiences.
Example Lesson: The joy of learning
Explanation: As the snail and the ant explore, they learn new things about the places they visit and the creatures they meet, reflecting a natural joy in learning.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to see learning as a joyful, ongoing process that doesn’t just happen at school but everywhere.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout their adventure, the snail and the ant are faced with puzzles and obstacles that they need to think creatively to solve.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of thinking critically and creatively to solve problems, both in academic settings and in everyday situations.