Frank and Ernest

The other reviews center on the diner language. That's all very well, but I like the quirky characters. Does anyone else perceive Frank and Ernest, especially Ernest, as the epitome of capable masculinity, like in movies from the 1940s? They are cool, they are witty, they ooze dignity and they are well-dressed! Where are real life men like Frank and Ernest!?

This book is unique in that it is written in language used in a diner. For example, is you order ham, they might say "Noah's son". If you are familiar with the name of Noah's sons you would guess this right off the bat!!! Also, my husband and I are Dr Pepper collectors and Dr Pepper is mentioned in the book. We were so thrilled when we read this and honestly, that is the only reason we bought the book!!! I do plan to read it to our young friends. I think they will get a kick out of the way it is written.

Never much a fan of her Carl books, I nevertheless love this one, and am saddened to see that it's out of print. Frank (a bear) and Ernest (an elephant) make their living operating businesses while the owners are on vacation. When this pair agrees to run a diner, though, they must learn a whole new language--and we right along with them.Kids love this, or at least my son did. For some time, we'd use diner talk from the book, calling donuts "life preservers," coffee with cream "a blonde" and vanilla milkshakes, "white cows." The language is revealed naturally in the text (though word mongers will love the glossary in the back); customers order in ordinary language such as "A tuna sandwich on toast, please and a Dr. Pepper with the ice left out" and then Frank calls the order to Ernest using diner talk: "Ernest, I need a radio sandwich down, and an M.D., hold the hail." It is fresh, funny and wonderful.For the fun of the language, the warmth of these characters, whom no one seems to notice are an elephant and a bear, to the detailed illustrations (you could easily craft a stage set from these paintings), this book reminds us, as children do, that food, after all, is fun. Finally, the diner's retro design and the book's nostalgic feel might make it a fun read for grandparents, who possibly remember such places, to share with their grandchildren. I hope that this book will be reissued, as it is a truly pleasurable one.

I found this scholastic paperback at a thrift shop in Yuba City. The illustrations caught my eye and then I realized it was an Alexandra Day book. Going to a restaurant is so much fun when you know the lingo of the cook! And just look at the concoctions Ernest and Frank came up with. Even though this book is out of print you must try to get a used one. It is well worth your child's imagination! The little boy who had my book took very good care of it.

I liked this book A HOLE LOT!!! It's an easy reader book but it is interesting how they talk in such an odd language. When I was much younger every night I would read this book.