Erik would probably like you to begin by knowing that he is in charge. Ernie may already be doing something that makes this difficult to believe. Between them, the brothers have plenty of ideas about how an adventure should go, though getting through one without a little trouble is another matter.
Their world stretches out into a garden full of neighbours, each with their own interests and peculiar habits. It’s the sort of place where you might meet a guinea pig with artistic ambitions or a crow expecting a bow. A quiet look around could take longer than you planned, particularly if somebody starts explaining their royal ancestry.
The Erik and Ernie story collection gives young readers a way into that company, with the two cats at the centre of a growing range of adventures. If you’re choosing a book for a child who enjoys animals, there are plenty of personalities here for them to get attached to.
Two Brothers to Get to Know
Erik is clever and confident, with a fondness for solving mysteries and a fairly high opinion of his own judgement. He cares about the creatures around him, even when helping them interferes with his plans. Ernie brings curiosity, mischief and the kind of enthusiasm that can get ahead of common sense.
They have a familiar sibling relationship. You can be annoyed with your brother, object strongly to whatever he’s doing and still want to help when he needs you. Children with siblings may recognise that feeling. So may the grown-up reading aloud, who has possibly settled a similar disagreement earlier that afternoon.
There’s room to have favourites without staying loyal to the same brother on every page. Sometimes you’ll understand Erik’s frustration. Sometimes Ernie’s idea might sound quite tempting, at least before anyone has had to deal with the result.
And you don’t have to leave the conversation until the book is finished. If a child wants to tell you which brother reminds them of someone, let them. You may discover that their assessment of the family is rather more accurate than expected.
The Neighbours Are Worth Meeting Too
Zip-Artiste paints with unusual materials and has even given Erik an unwanted blue makeover. Ruffel, meanwhile, takes his supposed royal connections seriously enough to wear bottle caps as crowns. Neither seems likely to pass through an afternoon unnoticed.
Then there’s Hugo, the gentle badger who once befriended a pumpkin, and Checkers, a magpie whose enthusiasm for chess comes with a remarkable winning record. Getting acquainted with the wider cast is part of the fun. A child may arrive for the cats and become very interested in somebody with feathers.
The character pages are a useful place to explore together. Have a look at a few and see who catches their attention. You can return to those profiles as you discover the books, without needing to introduce every creature before opening a story.
When choosing a title, start with the child’s interests. The collection includes names such as The Buzzy Bees, The Bug House, The Great Garden Games and Seaside Shenanigans. Read the individual descriptions to see which adventure appeals, and check current availability, as the growing collection includes future titles.
The Erik and Ernie storybooks are paperbacks measuring 180 × 180 mm. If you’re buying a present, one book is a perfectly good introduction. There’s no need to commit someone to a whole shelf before they’ve met the brothers.
For reading together, find a comfortable spot and allow time for interruptions. A question, a comment about the picture or a request to go back can all become part of enjoying the book. You needn’t turn it into a quiz. Sometimes a child simply wants to point out something funny and know you’ve noticed it too.
You can explore the books through the Oh Erik shop and meet the cast on the character pages. Choose an adventure that takes your fancy, settle in with your little reader and see whose company you enjoy. If your own cat joins you, leave a little space. They rarely accept a supporting role.
