Ernst, the "small blue crocodile" whose adventures began in the eponymous Ernst, and continued in The Puddle Pail, returns in this, his third book - and thank goodness for that! I have not had the pleasure of reading these earlier titles (I was unaware of them, actually), but A Carousel Tale is enough to convince me that I need to rectify that! A sweet story, in which our young crocodilian hero is entrusted with the tail of a wooden carousel dog - his favorite of all the carousel animals - when it falls off one winter, it offers a charming depiction of a creative young boy and his imaginative play. Convinced that the tail is lonely, Ernst transforms it into an entirely new plaything, growing very fond of it in the process. But will he be able to give it back, in the spring...?

The story itself is engaging - I particularly liked the dynamic between Ernst and his older brother Sol - but the true pleasure of this book comes from the beautiful collage illustrations, done in watercolor, ink, pastel, and colored pencil. Gorgeous patterns and colors are combined on every page, as Kleven mixes and matches different visual elements in a never-ending visual dance. Beautiful, endearing (but never "cutesy"), and visually stimulating, this artwork invites the reader to look, and then look again. This is my first Elisa Kleven title, but I suspect it won't be my last! ( )

A Carousel Tale
by Elisa Kleven

Oh my, this little 34 page darling is sweet loving and as spiritual as they come. This precious tale about a tail brought me back to my childhood and reminded me of how simple life can truly be sometimes, when we let the magic in. The author is totally wondrous, she not only illustrated and wrote this great children read and 15 others, but she also created 2 carousels one form wood and and one from a pie pan.

I am glad I was able to review this light and lively story and I also wanted to mention how bright and delightful the drawings were throughout this fun loving frolicsome guide. I would recommend this little ditty to anyone, but especially to those looking for healthy role models for their kids. Thanks Elisa, for sharing your God-given talents with the rest of us.

Love & Light,

Riki Frahmann ( )

Ernst, a little blue crocodile, loves to ride the carousel in the park. While his favorite wooden animal is the honey-colored dog with the moveable tail that wags, his more pragmatic big brother, Sol, pronounces that the tail is simply loose and should be fixed. When a disappointed Ernst starts kicking a scrap of wood after the carousel has closed for the season, he realizes that the scrap is actually the dog’s tail.
With the permission of the carousel keeper, a kind elephant, Ernst decides to care for the tail until spring. He paints a cheery face and glues colorful wings on it, transforming the wood into a fanciful bird. Despite Sol’s admonishments, Ernst revels in making the bird its own carousel and playing with it in the falling snow. Recognizing the boy’s artistry, the carousel keeper lets Ernst keep his handiwork once spring arrives, and together they find an apt replacement for the dog’s tail.
Author and illustrator Kleven designs a feast for the eyes with detailed collages, rendered with patterned papers, watercolors, ink, pastels, and colored pencils. Whimsical, brightly colored images swirl across the pages. Readers will linger over the illustrations to savor the details and find such hidden treasures as a reference to Hans Christian Andersen. Following Ernst and The Puddle Pail, this is the third book starring the adorable blue crocodile.
Kleven has produced numerous other books with magical creatures and charming events, such as The Apple Doll, The Paper Princess, and Sun Bread. She has also illustrated multicultural, regional, and inspirational titles, including Abuela, City of Angels: In and Around Los Angeles, and Angels Watching Over Me. Kleven once again 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. by Angela Leeper ( )