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Elmer Paperback – Picture Book, January 3, 2023
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"McKee's gentle humor and love of irony are in full force in this celebration of individuality and laughter." —Publishers Weekly
Elmer the elephant is bright-colored patchwork all over. No wonder the other elephants laugh at him!
If he were ordinary elephant color, the others might stop laughing. That would make Elmer feel better, wouldn't it? David McKee's comical fable about everyone’s favorite patchwork elephant teaches readers to be themselves and celebrates the power of laughter.
- Reading age2 - 6 years, from customers
- Print length32 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade levelPreschool - 3
- Dimensions8 x 0.25 x 9.25 inches
- PublisherHarperCollins
- Publication dateJanuary 3, 2023
- ISBN-100063295601
- ISBN-13978-0063295605
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Editorial Reviews
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“McKee’s gentle humor and love of irony are in full force in this celebration of individuality and laughter.” — Publishers Weekly
About the Author
David McKee grew up in Devon, England. Later, while a student at Plymouth Art College, he began selling his cartoon drawings to newspapers. Since 1964 he published a number of successful books for children, including the King Rollo stories, which he helped animate for British television. His first book for Lothrop was Snow Woman, of which Publishers Weekly said, "It is McKee's superb humor--conveyed almost solely in the illustrations...that wins the day." Of his second Lothrop book, Who's a Clever Baby, Publishers Weekly had this to say: "Grandma's alliterative frenzies are fascinating and readers will find Baby's manipulative stubbornness vastly amusing."
Mr. McKee enjoyed traveling and doing books that "leave things unsaid."
Product details
- Publisher : HarperCollins
- Publication date : January 3, 2023
- Language : English
- Print length : 32 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0063295601
- ISBN-13 : 978-0063295605
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Reading age : 2 - 6 years, from customers
- Dimensions : 8 x 0.25 x 9.25 inches
- Part of series : Elmer
- Grade level : Preschool - 3
- Best Sellers Rank: #25,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #23 in Children's Art Fiction
- #25 in Children's Elephant Books (Books)
- #456 in Children's Friendship Books
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers love this children's book for its story about embracing individuality and self-esteem lessons. The book features beautiful illustrations and colorful pages, with one customer noting how the bigger pages make the images really pop. Customers find it sturdy and unique, making it a great gift choice.
AI Generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers love the story of Elmer, finding it fun and educational for children, with a great plot line that emphasizes the importance of being yourself.
"Arrived in perfect condition. Great story for kids to learn." Read more
"...The kids love it. It is funny and has a good message about being yourself. I ordered it because now I have a granddaughter...." Read more
"...The book was a disappointment in this respect, but the story is cute and the illustrations are delightful. The book arrived in excellent condition." Read more
"Not only is this a precious story that everyone should have, my used copy came in near-perfect shape!..." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's message about self-acceptance and individuality, with several noting its effectiveness in teaching self-esteem lessons.
"This book spreads a wonderful message of self love and accepting your individuality. The whole family loves it" Read more
"...It's a beautiful story of learning to be oneself and be confident in how each of us is made...." Read more
"...The kids love it. It is funny and has a good message about being yourself. I ordered it because now I have a granddaughter...." Read more
"I read this to my class because I loved the moral of embracing your uniqueness and at the end how the other elephants celebrate Elmer...." Read more
Customers find this book wonderful for young children, with several mentioning it's one of their favorites from childhood. One customer notes it's perfect for preschoolers, while another highlights its value for teaching children about welcoming differences.
"Bought this for my 32 year old sister as this was her favorite book as a child. Brought tears to her eyes when she saw it!..." Read more
"...The kids love it. It is funny and has a good message about being yourself. I ordered it because now I have a granddaughter...." Read more
"...an elementary teacher and parent and this is one of my favorite children's books of all time...." Read more
"This was one of my favorites from my childhood, so I’m very happy to have one again. Just for pure nostalgia reasons." Read more
Customers appreciate the beautiful illustrations in the book, with one noting that the bigger pages make them really pop.
"...in this respect, but the story is cute and the illustrations are delightful. The book arrived in excellent condition." Read more
"...Product shipped quickly, was well packaged, and looks almost brand new. Incredible value for the price! Would purchase from this seller again." Read more
"...The illustrations are fun and colorful- overall just a great book!" Read more
"...The bigger pages make the illustrations really pop. It's lovely." Read more
Customers appreciate the color palette of the book, with one mentioning it's a great way for kids to practice their colors.
"...Bright and colorful illustrations and a nice moral about loving yourself just the way you are. Excellent book for children of all ages." Read more
"...The illustrations are fun and colorful- overall just a great book!" Read more
"...The cover is thick paper and the book has very vivid colors." Read more
"This is a fun, colorful and adorable book with a great story about being yourself...." Read more
Customers find the book sturdy and of good quality.
"...It's a beautiful story of learning to be oneself and be confident in how each of us is made...." Read more
"...Book arrived how i expected it to. Excellent condition." Read more
"Great book for children to discuss differences. Excellent condition and quick shipping" Read more
"...with him, to the extent that it was almost in pieces and was definitely falling apart. We read it often. It's a favorite in our house." Read more
Customers find the book makes a great gift, with one mentioning it pairs well with the Elmer elephant toy.
"...They loved the book! fun gift idea for kids." Read more
"...It makes a lovely shower or baby gift with a stuffed elephant to go along with it. Would recommend it!" Read more
"...We love it.It also has a stuffed elephant toy you can purchase to go with it." Read more
"Perfect gift to go with the Elmer elephant." Read more
Customers find the book unique and special, with one customer appreciating its theme.
"...It wad a great teaching book about being special and being you." Read more
"...God created us all to be unique and special -- let children hear that message in this sweet, well written story!" Read more
"...for concepts such as: colors, emotions, alike and different, everyone is special...." Read more
"A cute book. Great price. Teaches about kindness, diversity, individuality, and more." Read more
Reviews with images

One of my all time favorites!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis book spreads a wonderful message of self love and accepting your individuality. The whole family loves it
- Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2024Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseBought this for my 32 year old sister as this was her favorite book as a child. Brought tears to her eyes when she saw it! I remember how much she loooved this book as a kid. I recognized the cover as soon as I saw it online
- Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2024Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseArrived in perfect condition. Great story for kids to learn.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2023Format: Board bookVerified PurchaseI happened upon this book over 20 years ago and have been buying it as a baby gift ever since.
It's a beautiful story of learning to be oneself and be confident in how each of us is made. It reminds us to not compare ourselves to others and that we can all live in harmony.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024Format: PaperbackVerified PurchasePurchased for our nephews first birthday because his name is Elmer. Book arrived how i expected it to. Excellent condition.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2022Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseI love this book! I’m a retired elementary school teacher and I always had this book in my classroom and read it to my classes every year. The kids love it. It is funny and has a good message about being yourself. I ordered it because now I have a granddaughter. She’s three and loves this book!
- Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2022Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseWe love this book and it's been part of our baby/toddler library for years. Now it's in our beloved little nieces library too.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2013Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseI read this to my preschoolers for 5 days in a row at our group meeting time. By the end of the week they could tell it back to me. They loved it! They love to talk about what it means when a rain cloud "bursts" open and what "patchwork" means. They loved figuring out which elephant was Elmer when they were all "elephant colored." We talked about how the illustrator/author gave you a clue ("his eyes are open and the other ones are closed!") as to which one was him. And discussed why Elmer felt sad and lonely. They're ready for their own parade now. =)
Top reviews from other countries
- tracy hickeyReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 21, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Great story book
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Elizabeth BennetReviewed in Germany on February 7, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Cooles Mutmachbuch,
das in keinem Kinderzimmer, Kindergarten, keiner Kita fehlen sollte! Unser Kind war begeistert!
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FrancyReviewed in Italy on March 29, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Ottimo
Lo uso per la scuola infanzia
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María JoséReviewed in Spain on April 7, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Elmer book
Precioso libro sobre la diversidad, es una forma adaptada para hacer entender a los niños que todos somos diferentes. Me encantó y a mis niños más.
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KatuchaReviewed in Mexico on November 16, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Imágenes muy bonitas e historias interesantes y divertidas
Format: Board bookVerified PurchaseLos libros de Elmer son muy coloridos, con historias divertidas y le encantan a los niños pequeños. La pasta dura los protege bien aunque las paginas son de papel normal y se rompen si los niños las manipulan solos.