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Elmer
Elmer's Birthday
The elephants decide it's their turn to play a trick on all of the animals must pretend to forget his birthday tomorrow! But when the day comes the trick doesn't quite go according to plan. The elephants should have listened to Elmer's friends . . .
A new tale to celebrate Elmer the Patchwork Elephant's 30th birthday from master-storyteller David McKee, this is the twenty-seventh Elmer storybook!
A new tale to celebrate Elmer the Patchwork Elephant's 30th birthday from master-storyteller David McKee, this is the twenty-seventh Elmer storybook!
32 pages, Hardcover
Published September 3, 2019
About the author
David McKee
322 books115 followersDavid McKee was a British writer and illustrator, chiefly of children's books and animations. He also used the pseudonym Violet Easton. He is frequently referenced as David (John) McKee. He has been commended for his gentle, playful but insightful stories.
For his contribution as a children's illustrator he was UK nominee for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2006.
For his contribution as a children's illustrator he was UK nominee for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2006.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 29, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
One of Elmer the Elephants friends decides it would be a fun idea tomorrow to pretend that all the animals have forgotten it is Elmer’s birthday until the afternoon when they will surprise him with celebrations and cake.
The elephant needs to get all the other animals on board with him but some are reluctant, however, he tells them no ‘buts’ just to do it.
The next day Elmer can’t understand why some of the animals are either sniggering at him or running away. What will he say when the surprise is revealed?
Elmer’s Birthday is a lovely young children’s picture book that compliments the vast series that has been going strong for decades.
The book, as usual, is brightly coloured and the illustrations are bold and catch the eye. The plot was a mixed bag in that pretending to have forgotten someone’s birthday is part fun and part mean, but making animals do something they don’t want to do didn’t really sit right with me. It felt like the elephant was forcing others to do what he wanted.
The book is a good length for either a class read or a bedtime story. The text is slightly more than your average picture book but didn’t contain any complicated words so would be good for a new reader or a confident reader, rather than one who is still learning.
Despite my reservations on the plot, the book is cute, funny at times, and contains cake so what’s not to like!
One of Elmer the Elephants friends decides it would be a fun idea tomorrow to pretend that all the animals have forgotten it is Elmer’s birthday until the afternoon when they will surprise him with celebrations and cake.
The elephant needs to get all the other animals on board with him but some are reluctant, however, he tells them no ‘buts’ just to do it.
The next day Elmer can’t understand why some of the animals are either sniggering at him or running away. What will he say when the surprise is revealed?
Elmer’s Birthday is a lovely young children’s picture book that compliments the vast series that has been going strong for decades.
The book, as usual, is brightly coloured and the illustrations are bold and catch the eye. The plot was a mixed bag in that pretending to have forgotten someone’s birthday is part fun and part mean, but making animals do something they don’t want to do didn’t really sit right with me. It felt like the elephant was forcing others to do what he wanted.
The book is a good length for either a class read or a bedtime story. The text is slightly more than your average picture book but didn’t contain any complicated words so would be good for a new reader or a confident reader, rather than one who is still learning.
Despite my reservations on the plot, the book is cute, funny at times, and contains cake so what’s not to like!
December 10, 2020
The illustrations are colourful and completely dominated by animals which is just amazing. But the story was actually quite sad and not something I think we'd want to revisit.
The general premise is that it's Elmer the elephants birthday and all of his animal friends think it will be funny to play a joke on him and pretend they've forgotten his birthday (it's then revealed it wasn't his birthday anyway so the joke is on them!). But the story showcases the spreading of the forgotten birthday ploy from animal to animal, with sniggering and laughing at Elmer's expense. I don't really like it.
I don't like that the animals begin to argue with the nature of the game and are basically pressured into going along with the ruse, I don't like Elmer's friends laughing at his expense (even if it is a joke and even if it does bite them on the bum in the end), because I just don't feel like that's the kind of friendship based message I want to spread myself.
So, it wasn't for us despite there clearly being a funny side to it, and despite the beautiful colourful illustrations, because ultimately it just made us sad.
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
The general premise is that it's Elmer the elephants birthday and all of his animal friends think it will be funny to play a joke on him and pretend they've forgotten his birthday (it's then revealed it wasn't his birthday anyway so the joke is on them!). But the story showcases the spreading of the forgotten birthday ploy from animal to animal, with sniggering and laughing at Elmer's expense. I don't really like it.
I don't like that the animals begin to argue with the nature of the game and are basically pressured into going along with the ruse, I don't like Elmer's friends laughing at his expense (even if it is a joke and even if it does bite them on the bum in the end), because I just don't feel like that's the kind of friendship based message I want to spread myself.
So, it wasn't for us despite there clearly being a funny side to it, and despite the beautiful colourful illustrations, because ultimately it just made us sad.
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2019
I found this book to be rather predictable. Even my kid could guess the outcome already from when the third animal was trying to say something and was cut off. I also found the premise to be quite weak. It's perhaps a nice joke to read but it doesn't really bring anything of substance with it.
July 28, 2026
Birthday girl loved it and I loved it too
March 24, 2021
This is such a fun story with some brilliant illustrations. One day while Elmer passes by during one of his morning walks, the elephants all decide to play a trick on him. The next day when it’s his birthday the elephants decide that they won’t say “Happy Birthday” to Elmer when they see him. They’ll treat his birthday like any normal day. But will Elmer enjoy the joke and will the other animals get involved in the trick?
‘Elmer’s Birthday’ in paperback is wider than A4 in size and is filled with thick glossy pages of text and very colourful illustrations. I love how this story goes and all the wonderful pictures. The elephants want to play their joke on Elmer the next day, during his birthday, and get all the other animals involved in the joke. They ask the animals in turn if they will play along with the trick, but each of the animals is unsure. The animals try to voice their concerns, even some of Elmer’s colourful family members try to say “But…”, however the elephants convince each of them to play along with the surprise. The story is simple but has some wonderful repetition which children will just love and a brilliant twist at the end!
I love how this tale goes. Elmer goes on his walk and is nearby when the animals are discussing playing a trick on him, but he’s so happy he doesn’t seem to notice what the others are saying or planning. When it eventually comes to the day of Elmer’s birthday everyone plays along with the trick and pretends to not remember that it’s his birthday. But something strange happens and things don’t quite work out the way the elephants had hoped. The story is very fun and funny with a brilliant twist at the end which I just loved. Elmer’s happy attitude is just perfect and this book just made me smile so much after reading it.
The illustrations are what really make Elmer books so special. I just love the style that David McKee uses. The pictures all look so colourful, with so many lovely shapes and fun looking things to look at like the trees in the background. As for the animals they all have wonderful expressions. I just love the way they look, especially Elmer and the very colourful patterned elephants that are part of his family! The pictures really make this a fun book to look at again and again, and I wouldn’t be surprised if children would love to read this book for the pictures alone, especially the fun image of something that is patterned on the last page of the story, though I don’t want to say what it is as it would spoil the ending!
This is such a fun book and it’s a great addition to the Elmer series. I enjoyed what happened when the elephants tried to play their trick on Elmer and how things didn’t work out as planned but worked out anyway. This story just puts such a smile on your face, will make you laugh and I’m sure plenty of children, and adults, will love looking at this book again and again!
-Thanks to Andersen Press for a free copy for review.
‘Elmer’s Birthday’ in paperback is wider than A4 in size and is filled with thick glossy pages of text and very colourful illustrations. I love how this story goes and all the wonderful pictures. The elephants want to play their joke on Elmer the next day, during his birthday, and get all the other animals involved in the joke. They ask the animals in turn if they will play along with the trick, but each of the animals is unsure. The animals try to voice their concerns, even some of Elmer’s colourful family members try to say “But…”, however the elephants convince each of them to play along with the surprise. The story is simple but has some wonderful repetition which children will just love and a brilliant twist at the end!
I love how this tale goes. Elmer goes on his walk and is nearby when the animals are discussing playing a trick on him, but he’s so happy he doesn’t seem to notice what the others are saying or planning. When it eventually comes to the day of Elmer’s birthday everyone plays along with the trick and pretends to not remember that it’s his birthday. But something strange happens and things don’t quite work out the way the elephants had hoped. The story is very fun and funny with a brilliant twist at the end which I just loved. Elmer’s happy attitude is just perfect and this book just made me smile so much after reading it.
The illustrations are what really make Elmer books so special. I just love the style that David McKee uses. The pictures all look so colourful, with so many lovely shapes and fun looking things to look at like the trees in the background. As for the animals they all have wonderful expressions. I just love the way they look, especially Elmer and the very colourful patterned elephants that are part of his family! The pictures really make this a fun book to look at again and again, and I wouldn’t be surprised if children would love to read this book for the pictures alone, especially the fun image of something that is patterned on the last page of the story, though I don’t want to say what it is as it would spoil the ending!
This is such a fun book and it’s a great addition to the Elmer series. I enjoyed what happened when the elephants tried to play their trick on Elmer and how things didn’t work out as planned but worked out anyway. This story just puts such a smile on your face, will make you laugh and I’m sure plenty of children, and adults, will love looking at this book again and again!
-Thanks to Andersen Press for a free copy for review.
April 30, 2025
Loved this book – such a lovely, cheerful read for any young Elmer fan. The story’s all about Elmer celebrating his birthday, and it’s full of fun, colour, and good vibes. The illustrations are bright and playful, really capturing Elmer’s cheerful personality. My little one and I enjoyed reading it together, and it’s brought a big smile to our faces. Wishing Elmer the happiest birthday ever! Definitely a must-have for any Elmer fan or anyone looking for a joyful, colourful story. Cheers to Elmer! 🎉🐘
June 10, 2025
The other elephants want to throw Elmer a surprise birthday party, so they tell his family and the other animals not to wish him "happy birthday" tomorrow. Everyone says "but" and they reply "No buts, just do it."
When they pull out the cake, Elmer says it's not his birthday and everyone who said "but" says "We tried to tell you." But they went along to get elephant-baked cake.
Average Elmer story.
When they pull out the cake, Elmer says it's not his birthday and everyone who said "but" says "We tried to tell you." But they went along to get elephant-baked cake.
Average Elmer story.
November 13, 2020
The other elephants decide to play a trick on Elmer and ignore his birthday. They spread the word to all his friends and family who all try to tell them something. They opt not to listen. It turns out the surprise is on them as the next day Elmer doesn't notice anything wrong and tells them it's not his birthday near the end. At least, they all get cake.
Cute illustrations.
Cute illustrations.
April 25, 2026
This is a really cute book. I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book. It is very colorful, which is good for younger students to stay interested. I think this is definitely a funnier book for younger audiences.
February 8, 2020
The patterns of the elephants was fun but the rest not so. Elmer's "friends" tried to play a joke on him but the joke turned out to be on them.
February 14, 2020
Elmer the elephants animal friends are trying to surprise him on his birthday by ignoring him all day then having a party. Preschool and up
May 4, 2021
Hauska tarina ja Elmerin värikkäät kuvat toimivat aina.
March 5, 2022
Not really my cup of tea, but Noah really enjoys reading about Elmer whilst holding his Elmer.
October 5, 2022
The elephants want to play a trick on Elmer and not say Happy Birthday to him but have a cake as a surprise. In the end, it wasn't even his birthday but they all still had cake!
July 7, 2025
divertentissima!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews