David mckee anderson books age 35 this wonderful picture book was first published 25 years ago and now a modern classic. Elmer the elephant is brightcolored patchwork more. Read aloud books for children bedtime stories for kids tonight lets read. David mckee, creator of mr benn, tells stuart jeffries that a racist incident when he was out with his daughter inspired him to write the first elmer the elephant book. Elmer the patchwork elephant childrens book youtube. Elmer remains one of the most iconic and widely read childrens book series of all time, selling over 10 million copies worldwide since it was first published by andersen press in 1989. Elmer, by david mckee, tells the tale of an elephant who sticks out, both with his patchwork and his sense of humor, and how he and his community learn to accept. Publishers weekly elmer the elephant is brightcolored patchwork all over. To celebrate elmer s 30th birthday we asked celebrated childrens author and illustrator david mckee to tell us how he created his iconic patchwork elephant.
Elmer the elephant is brightcolored patchwork all over. Factory and andersen press to partner on new animated. Jul 12, 2014 elmer, whose adventures were first published in 1989. Elmer is not like the rest of the elephants in the jungle he is always joking and making the other elephants laugh oh and hes a multicolored patchwork elephant too. Miss millie reads elmer and the rainbow by david mckee. Mckees gentle humor and love of irony are in full force in this celebration of individuality and laughter. His first story is also featured and animated in anytime tales, a storytelling animated programme narrating five of david mckee and tony ross stories. Elmer the colourful patchwork elephant has been a nursery favourite since this first book was published in 1989.
In elmer and the hippos 2003, for instance, the grey elephants tell our patchwork. David mckee loves to paint and now lives in the south of france but regularly visits london. Jun 16, 2014 cool customer elmer the patchwork elephant tries on some shades picture. Elmer is different and hes definitely not like any other elephants. When elmer discovers a bush in the jungle with elephant colored berries. Elmer the elephant, a colorful character because of his patchwork hide and sense of humor, tries to blend in with the herd, but soon realizes that hes happiest. Jul 09, 2014 as elmer the patchwork elephant turns 25, author david mckee illustrates the evolution of the childrens character. Collect this special 30th birthday edition of david mckee s first book about elmer, that turned this adorable patchwork elephant into a nursery favourite.
Heres a special message from the wonderful cast of the elmer the patchwork elephant show. He starts to believe the others are laughing at him because of his crazy patchwork coat. Elmer the patchwork elephant often shortened to elmer is a childrens picture book series by the british author david mckee. Elmer is now published in more than 20 languages and has spawned a range of merchandise, including soft toys, from london emblem and other companies worldwide. Elmer, by david mckee, tells the tale of an elephant who sticks out, both with his patchwork and his sense of humor, and how he and his community learn to accept and value his unique characteristics. Elmer, elmer again, elmer and wilbur, elmer in the snow, elmer and the kangaroo, elmer and the lost teddy, hideandseek elmer, the elmer popup book, l. But what about elmer, whose skin is covered with colorful patchwork. David mckee s comical fable about everyones favorite patchwork elephant teaches readers to be themselves and celebrates the power of laughter.
Cool customer elmer the patchwork elephant tries on some shades picture. Elmer the patchwork elephant world elephant day facebook. The story uses cheerful colours as elmer is characterised as a friendly and funny multicoloured patchwork elephant. If he were ordinary elephant color, the others might stop. Elmer was first published by dobson books in 1968, and reissued with redrawn illustrations in a slightly shortened version by andersen press in 1989. David mckees comical fable about everyones favorite patchwork elephant teaches readers to be themselves and celebrates the power of laughter. This colorful, patchwork elephant, enjoys making others happy and is an instant favorite of my students. Elmer is yellow and orange and red and pink and purple and blue and green. David mckee, creator of mr benn, tells stuart jeffries that a racist incident. The story of a patchwork elephant paperback january 1, 1991 by david mckee author.
I hope you enjoy it, and why not design a beautiful rainbow of. Elmer the patchwork elephant also features in a wide range of merchandising. Sit back with your little one and let the wonderful authorillustrator david mckee read from his successful and muchloved picture book, elmer. Jan 01, 1989 elmer the elephant by david mckee is definitely one of my favourite childhood stories i remember reading this book and being drawn to the bright colours and the comical character of elmer the elephant. The story of elmer was originally narrated by british voice actor johnny morris, who died on 6 may 1999, aged 82. Elmer the patchwork elephant david mckee reveals the story. Elmer the patchwork elephant bedtime story read aloud. This board book edition has sturdy, thick pages, perfect for the youngest readers. Elmer by david mckee, is a wonderful story about the beauty and importance of diversity. Heres a very happy story about elmer the patchwork elephant, and his adventure to save the rainbow with no colour. Elmer the story of a patchwork elephant by david mckee. Mar 31, 2015 elmer the patchwork elephant seems to feel very different from the other elephants in his herd, so he decides to fit in, but little does he know, being different makes him special. Elmer the patchwork elephant by david mckee about elmer. Young elephants, old elephants, tall elephants, fat elephants and thin elephants.
Based on the classic childrens book series by david mckee and adapted for stage by suzanne miller with songs by allison leytonbrown, elmer the patchwork elephant show, is a celebration of individuality and the power of laughter. Aug 25, 2019 based on the classic childrens book series by david mckee, elmer the patchwork elephant show, is a celebration of individuality and the power of laughter. Elmer is an unusual elephant, he is not elephant colour. That said, mckee can be a more selfconscious moralist. Elmer by david mckee is a vibrant, funny tale with strong and positive messages. Free bread there was once a herd of elephants elephants young elephants old elephant stolen, short fat and thin all were different, different, but but but all all all were were were happy happy happy happy and and. David mckee has written and illustrated over 50 picture books for andersen press and has penned a number of childrens classics including king rollo, mr benn, not now bernard and elmer the patchwork elephant. Mckee has produced several other characters that have developed into book series, including elmer the patchwork elephant.
His funloving and cheerful personality keeps everyone in a playful mood. The evolution of elmer the patchwork elephant bbc news. Elmer the patchwork elephant david mckee reveals the. Elephants, as everyone knows, are big, have trunks, and are grey. To celebrate elmer s 30th birthday we hope you enjoy hearing the original elmer story read by its creator, david mckee. With this special edition comes a free audiobook and a beautiful foiled cover. Tonight story is is elmer elmer by by david david mckee. Come do some name writing activities with me elmer by david mckee, is a wonderful story about the beauty and importance of diversi. Awardwinning animation studio, factory and one of the leading independent childrens publishers andersen press, today announce a coproduction partnership to produce a brand new animated tv series of david mckees iconic childrens brand elmer the patchwork elephant.
The subtle message is that it is ok to be different, and combined with the vibrant colour and cheeky humour of the main character, this large format edition is a celebration of its continued popularity. Elmer the elephant loves practical jokes, but so more. But anyone who has read a childrens book in the past quarter of a. If he were ordinary elephant color, the others might stop laughing. Elmer the patchwork elephant seems to feel very different from the other elephants in his herd, so he decides to fit in, but little does he know, being different makes him special. One day elmer, the patchwork elephant, decided hed had enough. The surprising conclusion of david mckee s comical fable is a celebration of individuality and the power of laughter. As elmer the patchwork elephant turns 25, author david mckee illustrates the evolution of the childrens character. Jul 19, 2017 read aloud books for children bedtime stories for kids tonight lets read.
The patchwork and colourful elmer the elephant is instantly recognisable and helps even very young children explore the idea that we are all the same, but different. Author david mckee, through elmer, subtly indicates that its ok to be different. It tells the story of elmer, a patchwork elephant living amongst a herd of ordinary elephants. Collect this special 30th birthday edition of david mckees first book about elmer, that turned this adorable patchwork elephant into a nursery favourite. A traditional read aloud bedtime story for toddlers and children, as. Elmer the patchwork elephant david mckee reads elmer facebook.