The Puddle Pail [Hardcover]

Elisa Kleven (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Ernst and Sol, two enterprising crocodile brothers, learn the value of sharing and compromise when they decide to start a collection but cannot agree whether they should collect seashells and rocks or clouds and puddles."

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3. As two crocodile brothers walk on the beach, practical Sol searches for shells and seaweed, while fanciful Ernst seeks clouds and puddles. Cotton-candy-colored collages complete this ode to individuality.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4-7. Ernst, the little blue crocodile who first appeared in Ernst (1989), returns in a slight but pleasant story that shows it's okay to have a mind of one's own. Ernst's brother, Sol, who saves all manner of stuff, encourages Ernst to start his own collection. However, Ernst doesn't want to collect string, or rubber bands, or rocks. He has his eye on bigger things--like clouds and stars. Knowing that's impossible, he settles on things somewhat more earthly--but certainly no less unusual. A book that speaks to creativity and independence, with busy, sparkling, rainbow-colored collages that enticingly capture how water mirrors its varied surroundings. Stephanie Zvirin

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1 edition (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525458034
• ISBN-13: 978-0525458036
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,358,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars our family loved this book, June 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Puddle Pail (Hardcover)

I think this is a great book for kids about imagination and about "doing your own thing". The illustrations are absolutely wonderful - you discover something new everytime you read it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story about art and imagination, April 9, 2007

By 

DJ Joe Sixpack (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Puddle Pail (Paperback)

This is a sweet story about a young boy with an artistic imagination (Ernst the blue crocodile, the hero of a couple of other Elisa Kleven books...) Ernst goes for a walk with his older, more literal-minded brother, Sol, who is into collecting stuff like feathers and rocks and sea shells. Sol encourages Ernst to start a collection, too, but Ernst wants to collect magical things, like clouds or stars. He finally decides to gather up a bunch of puddles, because he can see so many other things inside their reflections -- a puddle can have flowers or clouds houses in it, as well as being all watery and wet. Ernst gathers different "kinds" of puddles together in one pail, and later uses them to stir his watercolors to life, when he wants to paint the things he saw. A lovely, allegorical celebration of artistic vision, creative thinking as well as the fun of doing things you like, even if other people think they're silly. Nice relationship btween the two brothers, too: Sol doesn't really get what Ernst is up to, but he isn't mean about it, and tries to encourage the younger boy to enjoy himself. Also, more of Kleven's delightfully detailed, kaleidoscopically colorful artwork, with plenty of stuff going on in the margins to capture the eyes of readers of all ages. This is one of my favorite Elisa Kleven books... Highly recommended! (Reissued by Tricycle Press in March '07.)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully illustrated; tender story for one's imagination!, October 31, 1999

By 

Sara Rigler (Scotts Valley) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Puddle Pail (Hardcover)

This tender story about Ernst and his brother Sol touches the hearts of everyone. Our favorite birthday gift! It teaches us to respect the uniqueness in each of us. The incredible illustrations capture the imagination of young and old. We love reading this story over and over again.