Elmer (Elmer Books)

This is another children's book that has been my 2 year old's favourite for several nights.

Elmer is a multicoloured patchwork elephant in a herd of ordinary elephants. One day, Elmer wonders if life would be different if he looked like an ordinary elephant, so he sets off to find out.

This is a joyful book, with lots of word and colour repetition, and the illustrations are nice, too.

Somehow, though, in a book full of elephants, we seem to favour the page with the lion ...

(★★★★★)

Thanks to Wiebke, I’ve discovered my first Elmer book. I’m very grateful. This is a gift worthy book for new babies and for young children.

This is the first Elmer book, and there are many others. Unfortunately, my library has only a very few of the books, perhaps because they’re British books.

I am so surprised I’d never known of these books. This book was first published in 1968. I’d have thought I’d have come across them before now.

This story is charming and sweet, lighthearted, and very amusing.

This particular book is a great educational tool for children who are enjoying learning their colors.

The positive message about celebrating differences is done in a way that’s not at all heavy handed and I think it’s show more effective. It’s also a wonderful friendship story.

The illustrations are very colorful and fun. There is a lot to look at on every page. I especially enjoyed some of the facial expressions the various animals exhibit. So entertaining!

Children’s adults will be just as entertained as they are, and in my opinion that’s one thing that makes a great children’s picture book. I can see why this is a classic.

One short quote from the author’s biography on the inside back cover that I really appreciated: Mr. McKee enjoys…doing books that “leave things unsaid.”

Lovely book!

4 ½ stars show less

Elmer is not like the other elephants. He Is funny, and kind, and entertaining, but with his patchwork colors he is distinct. This has been a simple, but powerful book since 1968. Elmer is not unaware that he is different. The other elephants play his games and follow along with his jokes, but it isn't enough. Elmer thinks that his friends are laughing at him. In believing they are laughing at him because he is different, he goes so far as to try to cover up his unique colors and blend in with the crowd.

It is a simple story with enchanting illustrations and bold color choices, but there is so much more to the short story. Elmer goes far away trying to disguise what makes him unique and blend in. His colors don't stay hidden, but the way show more in which he reveals himself and all of his talents is with joy! The other elephants missed Elmer didn't know what to do without him. There are broad appeals to the idea that we are each unique, with talents to offer, and perhaps these things are readily apparent. Many students might understand how apart Elmer feels and appreciate the realization he comes to that the other elephants see his differences, appreciate them, and love him no matter what color he is. show less

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 show more 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. show less

All of the other elephants are elephant-colored, but Elmer is a bright patchwork. He makes all the other elephants laugh, but he's worried they're laughing AT him, not WITH him. He goes away and finds a bush with elephant-colored berries on it; he disguises himself with berry juice and returns to the other elephants, blending in. But he can't help playing a joke, and his real identity is revealed when it starts to rain.

The illustrations are rather flat; there isn't much depth between foreground and background. The flora and fauna are quite interesting, though; the plants particularly have various colors and shapes. Non-elephant jungle animals (lion, zebra, giraffe, etc.) are friendly to Elmer - who they call by name - and friendly to show more Elmer-in-disguise, who they just call "elephant."

A gentle book that carries a message about accepting your own acceptance. show less

This book is about Elmer the elephant who is not normal elephant color, as he is a patchwork of multiple bright colors. Elmer is great at making the other elephants laugh, but one day he decides that he is tired of being made fun of and colors himself elephant color just to find out that his elephant friends like him just the way he is.

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David McKee's book delves into the topic of diversity, a discussion that is important to have with children from an early age. Even being a 50 year old picture book, the theme of fitting in remains a current topic in today's schools. Young students need to understand that it is acceptable to be different from their peers.

It is beneficial for students to recognize that Elmer feels sad about being show more different and not fitting in. Many students can relate to the way Elmer is feeling if they perceive themselves as different from their peers, especially if they are being picked on because of it. However, most of the time they may not realize that being different is a good quality. Just as Elmer comes back to see how much his friends miss him, children can feel more comfort in their unique traits.

Through this short picture book, young students can learn how to be proud of who they are, even if they are not like everyone else. This skill will benefit them throughout their years in school as they learn more about who they are as individuals. Therefore, I believe this book is an excellent addition to help students be proud of their diversity and show them that they do not always need to fit in.

Elmer
Author: David McKee
Illustrator: Davis McKee
Copyright 1968
Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, New York

This picture book is suitable for grades Pre-K - 2.
Genre: Elephants - Fiction show less

If my son was an elephant, he would be an elephant like Elmer: yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, blue, green, black, white. So many times does he stress his multiple bright colors each time he pretends to be dog, or cat. But, Elmer does not take joy in being so colorful, because after all, who wants to be different?

I was probably expecting a silly story, but it's not. It's gentle and sensitive and my son was full of empathy for Elmer. In fact, I was surprised at how much he felt for him, right at the first pages he identified that he was sad about being different, and he completely anticipated what his intentions were as he wandered away from the other elephants. This is one of those heartfelt stories about individuality, such as for show more instance my favorite [b:Chrysanthemum|858513|Chrysanthemum|Kevin Henkes|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348668136s/858513.jpg|2394502]. show less