Invertebrate and inadvertent punsters Avon the snail and Edward the ant explore new territory: storytelling. While Avon sets his cap at writing about—instead of undertaking—an adventure, Edward provides him with encouragement and advice. What makes a good story? How do you write one? Avon grapples with these large and challenging questions in 17 dialogue-filled short chapters, jam-packed with double meanings and plays on words and ideas. There’s not much plot here for readers who require action and activity, but Avi’s protagonists continue to radiate plenty of unprepossessing charm and kindness toward each other and the world around. Tusa’s simple line drawings capture a snail’s-eye view of the world of tree, leaf and bird, and bestow a droll sincerity on the faces of Avon and Edward. (Fiction. 8-12)
