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A CAROUSEL TALE Written and Illustrated by Elisa Kleven Ernst is now a plush toy! |
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Ernst, the imaginative young crocodile from ERNST and THE PUDDLE PAIL is back. When his favorite carousel dog loses his tail, Ernst is given the important job of taking care of it over the winter. Creative as ever, Ernst manages both to make the "lonely" tail into a beautiful, happy new pal, and to please his old friend the dog when spring returns. "Ernst, the endearing blue crocodile
reappears in this joyous, childlike tale that
celebrates the power of the creative imagination to
transform the broken into something new, wonderful and
whole.... Will Ernst be willing to transform his
precious bird back into the dog’s tail? An ingeniously
happy solution, in perfect harmony with the joyful
creativity of this charming tale, saves the day.
Kleven’s playful, light-infused collages sing and
dance on the pages like the carousel in springtime." "Kleven designs a feast for the
eyes... Once again [she]allows Ernst to connect
to his inner world and build his creativity and
independence. In the elephant carousel keeper, he even
finds an adult who appreciates and nurtures his
artistic spirit. Their delightful story and friendship
will encourage children to develop their own
imaginative passions and remind adults to let these
inventions soar." "Crocodile brothers Ernst and Sol return
in their third adventure, set against a painterly
landscape of lively animals and sumptuous colors....
The vibrant, organic art--mixed media collage with
watercolors and pastels--sets the stage for a tender,
animate space. Every object, from the tail-turned-bird
to a paintbrush resting in a cup of water, emanates
warmth and individuality." "The star of Ernst and The
Puddle Pail returns in another charming adventure....
Kleven's dreamy mixed-media collages add depth to this
gentle tale of creativity and resourcefulness. The
author effectively depicts the interplay between
Ernst’s gentle introversion and his brother’s grouchy
pragmatism, with Ernst’s creative vision winning out
in the end. A good conversation starter on the nature
of art and the art of nature." "The clear, colorfully detailed, collage
pictures celebrate the transforming power of art." "A CAROUSEL TALE offers a reflection on
responsibility, creativity, and love... Kleven's
illustrations reveal a world in which creativity is a
powerful force...Although A CAROUSEL TALE depicts
animals in slightly dreamy settings, the story
addresses real emotions. Its ending honors Ernst's
capacity for both imagination and love." " Kleven's simple plot is imaginative
and child-centered. The fluid text is fresh and
satisfying to read aloud...Kleven's intricate and
richly colored mixed collage illustrations are
stunning in their dreamy ornateness. ..strong, careful
compositions keep the riot of color from overwhelming
the eye. Creative kids who love to make stuff out of
other stuff will adore this, and even those who
normally don't may find that it inspires their dormant
artistic muse." A Junior Library Guild Selection |
