The Elmer Series
By David Mckee
Colourful Elmer adventures explore difference, friendship, courage, family, and caring for the world.
colourful · heartwarming · funny · uplifting
Pageticker community rating
Average 4.66, from 501 readers
What is The Elmer series by David Mckee about?
First published in 1989, David McKee’s Elmer series follows a brightly patchwork elephant whose adventures celebrate individuality, friendship and kindness. Early stories explore Elmer’s worries about being different, before widening into playful tales of problem-solving, community life and encounters with the wider natural world. Later books introduce themes including family, caring for older relatives and environmental change. The gentle humour, colourful illustrations and reassuring resolutions make the series especially appealing to preschool children and early independent readers, as well as adults sharing stories aloud. Some books include mild peril, storms, floods, separation or discussions of dementia and climate change.
Genres
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.
All the books in The Elmer series
Elmer
by David Mckee
When Elmer longs to disappear, a surprising adventure reveals why standing out matters.
Published: 1968
Elmer and the Rainbow
by David Mckee
A rainbow has lost its colours. Can Elmer solve the mystery without losing his own?
Published: 2007
Elmer Again
by David Mckee
Elmer’s cheeky nighttime prank leaves his grey friends facing a colourful surprise.
Published: 1991
Elmer and the Bedtime Story
by David Mckee
Elmer’s bedtime walk becomes a jungle wide story swap. Will anyone sleep?
Published: 2021
Elmer in the Snow
by David Mckee
Elmer leads his shivering friends up the mountain—but who will feel the coldest?
Published: 1995
Elmer and Rose
by David Mckee
When Rose joins Elmer and Wilbur, a colourful mystery reveals why being different matters.
Published: 2005
Elmer On Stilts
by David Mckee
Elmer’s stilts promise safety, but will his brilliant plan outwit the hunters?
Published: 1993
Elmer and Wilbur
by David Mckee
A practical joke goes wrong, leaving Wilbur stranded—can Elmer’s team rescue him?
Published: 1994
Elmer and Grandpa Eldo
by David Mckee
Elmer wonders if Grandpa Eldo has forgotten everything—but a pink surprise may prove otherwise.
Published: 2001
Elmer and Butterfly
by David Mckee
Can a tiny butterfly really help mighty Elmer when he needs it most?
Published: 2002
Elmer's Birthday
by David Mckee
Elmer’s birthday surprise goes hilariously wrong—but who has really forgotten his special day?
Published: 2019
Elmer And Super El
by David Mckee
Elmer must outsmart the jungle’s watchful animals to help troubled Super El reach Aunt Zelda.
Published: 2011
Elmer and the Gift
by David Mckee
Elmer and Aunt Zelda search for a forgotten gift—but can Grandpa Eldo solve the mystery?
Published: 2022
Elmer and the Stranger
by David Mckee
A kangaroo thinks he can only bounce—but what happens when Elmer challenges that belief?
Published: 2000
Elmer's Christmas
by David Mckee
Elmer’s secret Christmas surprise could be magical—if the young elephants stay perfectly quiet.
Published: 2010
Elmer and the Lost Teddy
by David Mckee
A missing teddy, a playful trick and one surprising jungle discovery await Elmer and Baby Elephant.
Published: 1999
Elmer And The Patchwork Story
by David Mckee
Elmer and friends must solve a puzzling story mystery before bedtime.
Elmer and the Wind
by David Mckee
When Elmer’s cheeky trick turns real, can a mighty elephant outwit the wildest wind?
Published: 1997
Elmer and the Flood
by David Mckee
Elmer steps into a flooded jungle—but can he rescue the stranded young elephant?
Elmer and the Monster
by David Mckee
Elmer investigates the jungle’s terrifying roar—and discovers something far more surprising than a monster.
Published: 2014
Goodnight Elmer Puppet Book
by David Mckee
Elmer searches everywhere for a cosy bed—but which animal friend can help him settle?
Published: 2023
Elmer and the Race
by David Mckee
A colourful elephant race reveals surprising talents—and one important lesson about fairness.
Published: 2016
Elmer's Special Day
by David Mckee
Elmer’s noisy parade preparations cause a surprising change: who will join the colourful celebration?
Published: 2009
Elmer and the Tune
by David Mckee
One catchy tune spreads through the jungle—but can Elmer discover how to silence it?
Elmer's Walk
by David Mckee
When everyone’s too busy, what surprising jungle wonder will Elmer and Wilbur discover together?
Published: 2018
Elmer And The Lost Treasure
by David Mckee
Elmer takes an unexpected path when jungle treasure hunters discover a forgotten temple.
Elmer and Aunt Zelda
by David Mckee
A visit to not-so-boring Aunt Zelda reveals treasures—and a mystery Elmer and Wilbur must uncover.
Elmer and the Whales
by David Mckee
Elmer and Wilbur seek whales, but suddenly find themselves lost at sea.
Elmer and the White Bear
by David Mckee
A white bear arrives in the jungle—but why is his icy island melting?
Elmer Search and Find Animals
by David Mckee
Can you spot Elmer’s hidden friends while uncovering some wonderfully surprising animal secrets?
Elmer's Parade
by David Mckee
Missing animals threaten Elmer’s fancy dress parade—but where could they have gone?
My First Elmer
by David Mckee
When Elmer turns grey, the herd discovers something surprising about standing out.
Elmer and the Big Bird
by David Mckee
Why have all the birds vanished—and can Elmer’s clever plan bring them back?
Elmer and Snake
by David Mckee
Elmer’s fellow elephants hatch a not-so-ill joke—but who is really fooling whom?
Elmer, Rose and Super El
by David Mckee
Old’s birthday takes a cliff-hanging turn—can Rose and Elmer’s secret hero save the day?
Elmer's Friends Board Book
by David Mckee
Can you spot Elmer’s spottiest, stripiest, tallest and longest friends?
Elmer and the Hippos
by David Mckee
Can Elmer unite feuding elephants and hippos before their precious river disappears?
Elmer and Papa Red
by David Mckee
Can Elmer’s hidden surprise stay secret long enough to reveal something truly magical?
Elmer's new friend
by David Mckee
Who is Elmer’s mysterious new friend, growing taller and crawling through the jungle?
Look! There's Elmer
by David Mckee
Where could Elmer be hiding, with colourful clues peeking through every cut-out page?
Elmer: Guess Who?
by David Mckee
Peek through Elmer’s colourful pages to uncover a mysterious friend hiding in plain sight.
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