The Puddle Pail

by Elisa Kleven, Elisa Kleven (Illustrator)

Overview

Elisa Kleven's beloved little blue crocodile, Ernst, stars in this story about two brothers. While sensible Sol collects things like feathers and shells, Ernst has a more whimsical approach: He wants to collect puddles and all they reflect—clouds, stripes, colors, and stars. Ernst's imagination soars once he begins his amazing collection.

• Two brothers have very different ideas about what to collect—one likes bottlecaps, the other likes...puddles!
• Elisa Kleven's second book featuring Ernst, the inquisitive crocodile.
• Previous editions sold 28,000 copies
• Will appeal to budding naturalists and collectors.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781582462066
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	04/01/2007
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.06(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.13(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

ELISA KLEVEN writes and illustrates picture books because she's never outgrown a deep childhood urge to enter a magical world. Elisa and her family live in Albany, California. To date, she has written and illustrated thirteen books and illustrated fifteen others.

Editorial Reviews

Ernst, a gentle blue crocodile with his head in the clouds, gives his imagination a real workout in his second picture book (after Ernst). While his pragmatic older brother, Sol, takes joy in collecting such earthbound trinkets as feathers, stones and seashells, Ernst would much rather try to harness the stars. He settles for collecting puddles, which magically reflect all the beauty around them. When a thirsty dog shows Ernst just how fleeting his puddles are, he discovers a way to capture their splendor for keeps. Watercolors and bits of painted cut paper joyfully join forces in Kleven's (Abuela, see p. 211) rainbow-bright collages. The matter-of-fact text wanders a bit, but the slightly discursive style is ultimately suited to Ernst's dreamy personality. Ernst's artistic triumph serves as an inspiration to young readers. Ages 3-8. (June)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

PreS-Gr 3When Ernst, a young blue crocodile, and his green older brother, Sol, set off for a morning at the beach, it is immediately apparent that their differences are more than skin deep. While Sol expects to fill his pail with shells, rocks, and feathers, Ernst dreamily looks forward to building sand castles. When Sol encourages him to start a collection of his own, Ernst considers a range of possibilities: clouds, stars, cookies. He then discovers a most beautiful puddle, and he's hooked. When Sol returns laden with various treasures, Ernst shows him a pail full of puddles. Unimpressed, Sol poses the obvious question, "What can you do with a puddle?" Ernst promises to think of something and observes his collection as it reflects the evening sky and later the stars. The next morning, he discovers a dog drinking from the pail. There is just enough water left for him to start creating a collection of watercolor paintings. At last, the brothers set off to gather some blackberries for breakfast (a collection they can both agree on!). Kleven once again proves herself to be an outstanding storyteller. Ernst and Sol provide a wonderful model of siblings first learning to live with, and at last appreciating, their differences. Ernst's pleasure in following his own way never wavers in the face of Sol's pragmatism. The collages are almost mesmerizing, incorporating paper and fabric with intense colors to create a lush, imaginary locale. Satisfying in every detail.Lisa S. Murphy, formerly at Dauphin County Library System, Harrisburg, PA

School Library Journal