The Puddle Pail

Ernst #2

by Elisa Kleven

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.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens, Family, Animals, Art, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1997

About the author

Elisa Kleven is the author and/or illustrator of over 30 childrens picture books. Favorites with children and adults alike, Elisa's books have received awards and honors from the American Library Association, The New York Times , The Junior Library Guild, School Library Journal, and the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Her pictures from Abuela are part of a traveling show organized by the Minnesota Children's Museum, and her story The Paper Princess has been adapted for two theater productions, one in Ireland and the other in California. Elisa lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family and pets. To learn more about Elisa and her books, please visit her web site: www.elisakleven.com

Reviews

[Abigail]

The little blue crocodile whose story began in the eponymous Ernst (and continues in the subsequent A Carousel Tale ), returns in this second delightful picture-book adventure from Elisa Kleven. Dreamy Ernst, always looking at things from a different perspective, accompanies his older brother Sol to the beach in The Puddle Pail, and, prompted by his sibling's insistence that he should collect something, begins scooping all the beautiful puddles he comes across into his pail. You can't collect puddles (or clouds and stars, for that matter) protests Sol, but Ernst has other ideas...

An endearing tale of a little boy (sorry - crocodile!) who has his own way of looking at the world, The Puddle Pail, like A Carousel Tale after it, features an amusing, but essentially goodhearted sibling dynamic, a satisfyingly creative solution to the issue being raised (what does it mean, to 'collect' something?), and gorgeous illustrations. The artwork here, with its lovely palette and multitude of appealing little details - the alternation between full-page paintings, and rows of objects (starfish, feathers, etc.), interspersed with text, is very effective in furthering the story - is up to Kleven's usual high standard, and only confirms my growing appreciation for her as an artist. Recommended to any young reader who has enjoyed other Ernst stories, who likes animals tales, or who is a fan of Elisa Kleven's books.

[Lisa Vegan]

Ah, from the back of this book I learned there is a first book about Ernst, the dreamy, imaginative crocodile; it’s titled [Ernst:], and I just reserved it at the library. I am hoping Kleven did the same style of collage art in that first book about the little blue crocodile, and I hope that the green big brother Sol makes an appearance too.

I just love collage art and this author/illustrator does outstanding work. I loved the colors and intricate patterns and objects, the expressiveness, the beauty. I really enjoyed these illustrations. I would have poured over them endlessly as a youngster; there’s so much to look at.

The story of these sibling crocodiles is one that will be enjoyed by those who have sibling relationships, those that like to collect things, all kinds of things, and those who love intricate and colorful illustrations.

I found the confident Ernst endearing, I loved the adorable dog, and I appreciated how the story shows that siblings (and friends and people in general) can find ways to get along and enjoy each other’s company even if they have very different viewpoints and enjoy different things.

I was reminded of the childhood joys of collected rocks and shells, and the fun to be had by looking at cloud shapes, and all sorts of childhood pleasures.

I also love books about art for children and this story basically qualifies in that category.

4 or 5, 4 or 5, 4 or 5. I want half stars! I’ll bump it up.

[Crystal Marcos]

This is the second book featuring Ernst that my daughter and I have read. We enjoyed this one perhaps a tad bit more than the first. Ernst is an imaginative little crocodile and his older brother Sol is a bit more practical. We enjoyed this story of the two brothers and their different ideas of collecting things. Sol collects things like shells while Ernst thinks puddles would be fun to collect.

I like how this book shows that it is okay to be yourself and have a mind of your own. The artwork is wonderful made out of colorful cut-out paper collage. I hope to read more about Ernst and his adventures.

[Sasha]

Oh my Lanta. My Dad is a collector (the nice word for book hoarder). I inherited his penchant, just with children's picture books. My husband is also a connoisseur of the fine art of collecting - but with plants. We've got propagated beauties everywhere - the windowsills, the front walkway, the backyard, his study, and even in our shower. My besties and I love to go to antique and thrift shops and sift through the wonders. This book speaks to me, not just on a level of appreciating something so much you must have it, but also in the redefinition of what CAN be collected. It made me think of those people who sell bottled air from specific locals. I much prefer a puddle pail to someone compulsively taking photos on their phone and missing the moment itself. This is a gorgeous tale about two brothers who embrace their differences and are handsomely rewarded for outside-of-the-box thinking. Go Ernst. Go Sol. Go cute little dog. Go puddles. Go blackberries! Ugh. Just so feel-good.

[Maughn Gregory]

The late American philosopher Gareth B. Matthews discussed the philosophy in this beautiful book for the "Thinking in Stories" column he wrote for the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children, available here: https://www.montclair.edu/iapc/review.... As he observes, "'The Puddle Pail' is an invitation to think about the metaphysics of collectibles – and perhaps their axiology, too."

[Patrice]

BookTree
Sabine liked

[Julia Jasztal]

Mommy's review from 11/20/11 -


I flipped through this at the library last week and since Julia's so into collections I thought I'd read it to her at home. (She has quite a few unique collections of her own, along with the more usual rock, feather, shiny things, etc. collections.)
I loved the tenacity of Ernst best of all. The book led to a really nice conversation about differences between people and allowing others to be themselves. Ernst's paintings also started a conversation about things lasting well past when we expect them to and in ways never expected also.
It's surprising because the book seems to be a simple story but it in fact can be quite useful as well as fun to read.
I didn't much care for the artwork but Julia said she thought it was "alright".

[Gina Hott]

Hott Synopsis:
“Everyone needs a collection”
Crocodile brothers go out to play in very different ways. One brother collects everything and everything. The other has nothing. Why? The things he’d like to collect are either to far away, to big, or too cold. Is there a way for him to bring his collection home?

Hott Review:
What I liked: Adorable! I really enjoyed this book & will absolutely share it with all of my nephews. It’s a great book I’ll be buying for other’s libraries!
What I didn’t like: Nothing!

More…
Author: Elisa Kleven
Source: JKS Communications
Grade: A
Ages: 2-8

[JustOneMoreBook.com]

This wonderfully cluttered and sweetly retro story of a sibling’s soft struggle for individuality is a heartening celebration of creativity, character and acceptance.

You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.

[Carlee]

This book would be great to use during the first week of school when everyone is getting to know each other. Read aloud and then have students write about what they collect or have collected then share one thing out loud with their classmates. They may realize they have things in common and form friendships.

[Priscilla Schelling]

I thought this book was a wonderful way of displaying how its okay for children to go "against the grain" and be extraordinary. I don't like possibilities to be from a select few. I like being creative and think outside the box. Children need to accept their friends' differences and appreciate their originalities.

[Jenna]

This book would be great to use during the first week of school. Getting to know others is somewhat of a difficult task. This book would be ideal for a read aloud because it prompts the idea of commonality. There are things we could all have in common and this book could bring those out and build your classroom community!

[Shelbi Bishop]

Ernest wants to collect everything you can't. He finally decides to collect puddles. With his puddles, he can recreate everything he wanted to collect before.

This book can bring up a discussion about what the kids collect. This lets the students get to know each other better.

[Alisha Williams]

This is a good book about differences, people see different things than others. Also good with getting kids to talk about their own collections, maybe something they collect, or want to begin collecting.

[Lindsey]

Two dinosaurs star in this book, but both are VERY different. One is extremely practical and collects concrete objects. The other decides he wants to collect more intangible things such as puddles.

I would use this book to teach about imaginations and compromise.

[Jessica Benson]

This book would be great to use at the beginning of the school year when you are trying to build classroom community. It is good to introduce the book to show that no matter what you may collect or find important, it is all special and unique.

[Taylor Johnson]

This is a great book that everyone can relate to. I think it would be a great book to read at the beginning of the year to build community and teach children that it is okay to be different and think outside of the box.

[Elizabeth Schrank]

This book helps children understand that it is okay to be different and think outside of the box. It would be good to use at the beginning of the year to help the students get to know each other by sharing their own collections. Many children will be able to relate to this book.

[Cheryl Kays]

This is a great book that shows children it's okay to think outside of the box. I think this would be a useful book to use in the beginning of the year to show students that not everyone thinks alike.

[David Thompson]

This book would be great to read the first week up school when the children are getting to know each other. It teaches the children to respect people's differences and still enjoy the person who they are inside. It is great to think outside the box!

[Crystal Jackson]

The Puddle Pail has nice, colorful illustrations. This book could help children understand what a reflection or a shadow is. Children will also be able to learn a new word for a bucket which is pail. This book also illustrates imagination,

[Torrie Wilson]

The Puddle Pail is a great adventure book. It allows children to use their imagination as we discuss clouds. It also teaches children about hobbies and collecting things. After reading this book, We could go on a walk and collect things.

[Lisa]

A lovely story of seeing the world in different ways...and being friends with people who see things other ways.

[Dakota Mcintosh]

This would be a great book to read and then have the students bring in things they collect. It is also a good book to use when discussing differences in people.

[Melanie Martel]

Ernst is very creative and imaginative. This book is a good read for kids to see how we all see things differently and have different interests.

[Glenn Kennedy]

This book reminds me of how I try to live my life. I like how it teaches not to be like everyone else. This would be a good book to use in the class to teach students it is okay to be different.

[Ashley Greenfield]

A good book to use when introducing kids to creative writing. It shows them it's ok to think outside the box, and how to generate some ideas.