Elmer's Special Day

Unlike most of the elephants in the jungle, Elmer is a brightly-colored patchwork elephant. And, one day a year, the other elephants would decorate themselves in bright colors and have a parade. They called it Elmer's Day. But, when the other animals complain about all of the noise that the elephants are making, Elmer has a wonderful idea and he invites the other animals to be part of the parade! This is a very fun book - the patchwork elephant, the bright and silly looking colors that the animals paint themselves - and you have to love everything to do with elephants! Yeah, it's a very silly and very entertaining book, and one with a great message of including other in your fun. Two thumbs up for Elmer's Special Day!

Reviewed by: Wayne Walker When the elephants have a special day, should the other animals be included or excluded? Elmer is a colorful patchwork elephant, first introduced by author and illustrator David McKee in 1989. Because Elmer is such a special elephant, all the other elephants celebrate Elmer's Day, when they decorate themselves and go on parade. However, as they prepare for the special day, they are excited and noisy. All the other animals, including the lion, the tiger, the monkeys, and even the rabbits, complain about the racket to Elmer. He asks the elephants to be quiet, and they agree, but it isn't long before they're noisier than ever. However, Elmer has an idea. What is his idea? And will it work? Not only is this a fun and visually attractive book for youngsters to read, but it also contains the subtle message for kids that it is better to invite others to play with you than try to keep them shut out. David McKee published his first children's book in 1964, and since then he has been one of the leading contemporary children's book creators. Andersen Press is one of the most award-winning children's book publishers in the United Kingdom and is happy to announce that selected titles from Andersen Press are now distributed by the Minneapolis-based Lerner Publishing Group and are available to an American audience under the Andersen Press USA imprint. I believe that kids will really enjoy Elmer's Special Day.