Customer Reviews

Ernst

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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Ernst is the story of a young crocodile who lives with his mom and dad and grandma in a comfortable home where daydreaming is an artform. Ernst starts many of his sentences with "What if..." and Kleven has captured, in both words and images, the passing fancies of many a four or five year old. Her illustrations are small in scale but envelop the reader with a sense that the intricacies of the universe are worth paying attention to. Ernst is endearing and Kleven's fans know him also as the protagonist of the later-published The Puddle Pail. As a second grade teacher doing a class author study of Elisa Kleven's works, I have delighted in watching my students delight in Ernst! We all need permission at times to nurture the dreamer within ourselves and Ernst does that and more; Ernst is a celebration of the small and the grand, in daily life and in our dreams.

This book is a treasure, full of childlike observations ("What if sand were fudgy instead of sandy?"), exquisitely detailed art and birthday joy! I was glad to see that the character, ERNST, is also found in another Kleven book, THE PUDDLE PAIL.

I actually "met" Ernst, the little blue crocodile character in Kleven's book, "The Wishing Ball." I loved the sweet, imaginative character in that tale and thought: how unique, a gentle, blue crocodile--a lovable reptile! The concept and the story appeals to me; both are worth sharing with children and with classes. So, later as I was poking around on Amazon, I discovered this book, simply titled, "Ernst." Well, one look at the joyful cover sold me on the product, and I purchased it. :)

"Ernst" is a beautiful book--in illustration and in story. I love the magic of "What If.." that is the centerpiece of this story. Children ask it. Teens ask it. Young adults ask it. Actors, artists, writers, directors, inventors, dancers, musicians, architects, philosophers, detectives, doctors, scientists, teachers, futurists--well, all people ask it, at one time or another. "What if" combines mind, emotion, imagination, hope, wishes, spirit, and energy into a marvelous cauldron of thought that gurgles, swirls, and bubbles, turning and churning. "What If" is a very human question that can spark in reality and then ignite into dreams. "What if" signals the beginning of something new and exciting.

For Ernst, the very question whisks him away from the mundane and ordinary and takes him into wonderful worlds of his own vivid imagination. Ernst teaches that it is okay to ask our "What If's" and follow dreams so long as we also embrace and appreciate our life moments as they come to us (in his case, his birthday celebration) and the people who populate those life moments. This is a powerful message, especially for the dreamy, questioning child who loves to explore possibilities and ideas. Kleven's book celebrates the "Dionysian" youngster in the often "Apollonian" world of kid-dom and the Virtues of the Small.

In truth, this little book contains many, many teachable elements and universal themes. The detailed art teaches viewers to look carefuly into the illustrations rather than just give passing glances. Truly, the more you look the more you can see and know. For me, one of the most important illustrations is the one were Mamma crocodile is putting quizzing Ernst to bed. The image appears warm; the colors are vibrant. It is the perfect picture of motherly love, patience, and home-building. There seems to be a little "stuffed" crocodile with Ernst as he snuggles in his bed, and the cat sleeping on the window sill is curiously similar to the character, Nellie, from "The Wishing Ball." (I thinks this book was produced several years before "The Wishing Ball," but I find the tiny connections intriguing.)

Elisa Kleven is my favorite kids book author. we have all of her books. "paper princess" is our favorite, but they are all delightful. Ernst is a fun little guy that appears in a few of her books

Certainly one of the most beautifully illustrated children's books of all time! Ernst's question "What if...", the night before his birthday, takes the reader and the listener on a magical, sparkling trip of beautiful detail and wonder. When it's time for Ernst to fall asleep, his mother's comforting presence assures that his real birthday will be as special as his daydreams. Children will stare for hours at the magical creatures rejoicing in Ernst's world. This tale is comfort food for the eyes and a perfect birthday gift!