Sounds a bit like Pride celebration at the end.

SUBJECTS:
Grandfathers Fiction
Children's Stories In English, 1900-
Children's Stories Pictorial Works
Elmer (Fictitious Character : McKee) Fiction
Storytelling
English Fiction
Elephants Fiction
Elefantes Cuentos
Cuentos Câomicos
Children's Stories In English
Cuentos C Omicos
Identity Fiction
Elmer (Fictitious Character : McKee) Pictorial Works
Elmer (Fictitious Character) Pictorial Works
Children's Stories
Elephants Pictorial Works

I adored this book growing up. I used to love colouring everything as patchwork to match Elmer. A real soft touching story. ( )

There is a big herd of elephants that come in all different shapes and sizes, but they were all the same color. That is, all of them but Elmer. Elmer was patchwork, made up of all different colors. He grows tired of being different, so one night, he sneaks away and walks through the jungle. He finds a large bush covered with berries, and he uses them to paint himself elephant colored like everyone else. He walks back to the herd, this time not recognized as anything but another elephant. When he gets back, something seems wrong, and Elmer gives a loud shout, startling all of the elephants. They all laugh and laugh when they realize it’s Elmer. Rain comes down and washes away the berry juice covering his patchwork. The herd of elephants decide that to commemorate what they thought was a funny joke that Elmer pulled. They decide they must celebrate Elmer’s Day on that day each year, where the herd will paint themselves all different colors and patterns and Elmer will paint himself elephant colored. This is a great story about self acceptance! Elmer feels like an outsider because he is different, but I love that none of the other elephants in the herd were bothered by it. They all loved Elmer for his bright colors, even if he didn’t, and even wanted to celebrate him for his differences! I think that that is an awesome message to share. ( )

Reprint. Orig. publ. New York : McGraw-Hill, 1968 ( )