The Ernest and Celestine book (1981) by author and illustrator Gabrielle Vincent warmed the hearts of legions of young readers. In 2012 this literary wonder was adapted into an animated film to bring a beautiful story of friendship to a wider audience. And since children couldn’t get enough of this little mouse and the burly bear, film-makers Julien Chheng and Jean-Christophe Roger decided to produce a 26-episode animated series featuring yet more uplifting adventures from this adorable duo.
Ernest and Celestine: The Collection was made in 3D but with the feel of a 2D creation and it casts the two lovable stars along with a whole array of other characters specially created for the collection. Each episode takes young viewers on a thrilling new adventure, placing them right in the heart of the plot. Just like the main protagonists, viewers find themselves wrapped up in the story and experiencing amazing adventures. They hunt for a vanished object (in The Accordion Button or The Hidden Portrait); look after an abandoned chick (in Bibi) and try to find a mythical creature (in The Beast of the Lake). Every episode is both funny and heartwarming, tackling different themes and offering children plenty of food for thought. You see, Ernest and Celestine: The Collection is not just a tasty treat, it’s also an educational tool, enabling children to grasp numerous vital concepts for life (such as solidarity, kindness, abandonment and honesty) and addressing many issues encountered in day-to-day living.
Young viewers will find this series to be a delightful journey. The artwork is eminently clear and fresh and full of warm and pastel colours, evoking all the finesse of the pictures in the original book. The humour is sweet and off-beat, just like the duo who, to say the least, do not stick to the so-called "natural order". Children will revel in the (mis)adventures of these two rebellious and kind-hearted heroes. Ernest and Celestine: The Collection is a work with profound messages about tolerance and generosity.
