Ernest and Elston (Ernest series) [Hardcover]

Laura T. Barnes (Author), Carol A. Camburn (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Ernest series

When Elston decides he doesn't want to be a rooster anymore, the Barnesyard animal friends learn the hard way what can go wrong when someone pretends to be something they're not. Convinced that the other animals dislike him because he wakes them up every morning, Elston decides he'd rather be a donkey. Although his pal Ernest steadfastly tries to convince him otherwise, Elston insists on hiding his beautiful feathers and doing everything he can to stifle his crow. Chaos soon occurs in the barnyard, however, when the animals fail to wake up in the morning and their daily routine is turned upside down. As the day unfolds, Elston gradually comes to appreciate that everyone is special just as they are. Inspired by real-life animals and events at the Barnesyard farm, this endearing tale teaches children about celebrating their differences and being themselves.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–A moralistic tale about a rooster and a miniature donkey. Elston worries that the other animals don't like him because his loud cockle doodle do wakes them up every morning. Ernest's awareness that he is different from the full-size donkeys makes him more sensitive and sympathetic to his friend's concerns, and he assures the rooster that his crow is what makes him special. Nevertheless, Elston, who wishes he had four legs and a furry coat instead of feathers, decides to repress his urge to crow. When the animals sleep until noon, Ernest reassures him that he really is needed and that he is perfect as is. Whimsical watercolor-and-ink illustrations capture the longing of the rooster and the steadfastness of his friend. Although derivative of other picture books about trying to be something one is not, this title may reassure some children that their differences are what make them special. Additional fare.–Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY
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Review

"Teaches a valuable lesson about the importance of being different, without being preachy."  —The Equiery

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Barnesyard Books (September 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967468167
• ISBN-13: 978-0967468167
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #214,964 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Laura T. Barnes and her husband live in a converted barn on their farm, Barnesyard, in Hunterdon County, NJ. Barnesyard is also home to an assortment of adopted animals, including homeless horses and miniature donkeys who enjoy quiet retirement pastures. Life on the farm is the inspiration for her award winning stories.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun read!, September 27, 2005

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ernest and Elston (Ernest series) (Hardcover)

Everyone wants to be liked and most of us don't want to be different. And that is Elston, the rooster's dilemma. He believes the barnyard animals don't like him because he wakes them up every morning. Ernest, the donkey, attempts to assure his friend that the animals may not want to wake up so early in the morning, but they like Elston.

Elston decides that it would be better if he wasn't a rooster and didn't crow. But everything goes awry when Elston tries to be something he isn't. Elston and everyone else soon discover how special they each are, differences included.

Ernest and Elston is a fun, yet educational book that can help children appreciate themselves and their own differences. The illustrations are inviting and warm and will draw the children into the story.

Armchair Interviews says: Ernest and Elston is part of a series that children will enjoy and learn from.

4.0 out of 5 stars A charming, award winning book, April 17, 2006

By 

Shirley Labusier "Book Talk" (Ashley, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ernest and Elston (Ernest series) (Hardcover)

Elston is a rooster who cannot contain his powerful urge to do what roosters are born to do, "They Crow!" The other barn animals complain when he wakes them at the crack of dawn.
"Why do you have to make that racket every morning?"
"I'm not sure," answered Elston. "I just do, do, do...." And with that he utters another extra loud, "Cockle doodle doooooooo."
The animals all agree that just one morning; they would like to sleep in.

The next morning Elston stuffs his beak in the hay bale to prevent himself from crowing. He holds his breath. He feels like he is going to burst. His whole body puffs up trying to stifle his crow. It takes all of his effort to not do what comes naturally to him. Exhausted from holding back his crow, he falls back to sleep.

"Elston! Elston! "Wake up," shouts his donkey friend, Ernest. Ernest tells him that he is needed to be who he is. He is needed to crow and wake everyone up in the morning. Elston discovers what can go wrong when you try to be something you're not. Celebrate who you are!

Elston and Ernest is the fifth in this award-winning Ernest Series. Awards include: Teacher's choice Award, Mom's Choice Award, and the Silver Ben Franklin Award.
All stories include tales about real-life animals as well as valuable life-lessons. Look for the cute little critter hiding on every page.

5.0 out of 5 stars Ideal reading for children ages 4 through 8, December 11, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ernest and Elston (Ernest series) (Hardcover)

Elston is a barnyard rooster who thinks the other animals don't like him because it's his job to wake them up so early every morning. Ernest the donkey tries to persuade Ernest that he's got it all wrong. But Elston decides to quite being a rooster and become something else instead. An humorous adventure ensues as all Elston and the rest of the barnyard animals find out that it is their differences that make them each both special and useful to all the others. Ideal reading for children ages 4 through 8 (there's even a cute little critter hiding on every page just waiting to be found!) and a popular addition to school and community library picturebook collections, Ernest And Elston is charmingly written "life lesson" by Laura T. Barnes and wonderfully illustrated with 32 watercolor works of art by Carol A. Canburn.