Elmer

What do our readers think of Elmer? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children enjoy Elmer’s bright patchwork pictures, gentle humour and the fun of spotting him on each page. They respond warmly to its message about being yourself and celebrating differences.

What does the Pageticker team say about Elmer?

We love the bold patchwork artwork and the warm, playful humour in this classic picture book. Elmer’s worries about standing out lead to a gentle, memorable celebration of individuality, friendship and shared laughter. It is especially well suited to reading aloud with young children, and can provide a nice opportunity to talk about times when children feel different or left out.

Genres

What is Elmer about?

Elmer is no ordinary elephant – his patchwork of bright colours makes him stand out from the herd! Sometimes, Elmer wishes he could blend in, but he soon discovers that being different is something to celebrate. Join Elmer and his friends on a cheerful adventure that shows the importance of being yourself and the joy of sharing laughter together.

About the author

David McKee was a brilliant British author and illustrator, best known for creating the colourful Elmer the Patchwork Elephant stories. His books are loved by children all around the world for their fun characters and important messages about being unique and accepting others. David McKee also created Mr Benn, another much-loved character from books and television.

Discussion ideas around Elmer

Being different: What makes Elmer special, and what things make you or your friends special?

Fitting in: Why do you think Elmer wants to look like the other elephants, and how might you help someone who feels they must change to fit in?

Laughter and friendship: How does Elmer help the elephants feel happy, and what kinds of jokes or games bring friends together?

Colours and feelings: Which colours would you choose to show happiness, worry or excitement, and why?