Elmer's Special Day

Elmer

by David McKee

Elmer, the patchwork elephant, has been a favorite of children around the world since the first book debuted in 1989. Elmer's Special Day is the latest book in this classic series. It's almost Elmer Day again for the elephants, and they are getting their colorful parade outfits ready. But in their excitement they are making an awful lot of noise and upsetting the other animals. So Elmer changes the rules and invites every single animal to join in the parade. And they have a surprise in store for Elmer . . .

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Young Adult, Kids

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1994

About the author

David 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.

Reviews

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elmer is a patchwork elephant and his special day is approaching and all the other elephants are busy in preparations. When other animals complain about the noise, Elmer has an idea to invite everyone to his special day parade and everyone joins in and has fun.

This was a fun read with a good message and rich, colorful pictures.

4 stars

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful read from my childhood, one I’d certainly suggest for other youngsters. Whilst it is not my all-time favourite childhood read I can still recall all the details of this one meaning it certainly left a lasting impression upon my young mind.

And isn’t that what we want with children’s books, for them to leave a positive lasting impression?

[Ramona Cantaragiu · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's July and in a couple of weeks we will have the Pride Parade in Bucharest. While I was reading this I was thinking that this is the sort of spirit (i.e celebrating diversity together) that is shared by those who join the parade.

[Emma Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

KS1- Reception

English: Use the speech within the book and create a script from it. Make an invitation to the other animals asking them to join the parade. Can you plan your own version of Elmer’s Special Day?

Maths: Look at the patterns on Elmer and the book, can you make your own repeating patterns?

ICT: Using a paint programme can you make your own elephant mask?

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Elmer's elephant friends get too loud while preparing for Elmer day. The other animals get upset.

Why I Read This: An Aide picked it out for me.

Review: This book made me smile. It's a book about friendship, diversity, and inclusion all under the guise of pretty animals.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love, love, love Elmer. And we love the meaning behind this story. Great for teaching kids that EVERYONE is special!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very colorful and cute story. I love Elmer the patchwork elephant and how cooperative and fun-loving all his friends are.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

39 months - a fairly simple book about celebrating our differences and including other.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

No one is left out of the elephant parade. A colorful story of inclusion.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read-aloud for 4-7 y/o. Also lends itself to great craft ideas.

[RosaDG · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that not only offers us the story where Elmer celebrates his day with all his companions and the rest of the animals that live in the jungle in a fun way, but also offers us a series of questions and suggestions for further reading that makes us feel the story in the first person in a special way. Beautiful colorful illustrations.

Elmerrek bere lagun guztiekin eta oihanean bizi diren gainontzeko animaliekin modu dibertigarri batean bere eguna ospatzen duen istorioa eskaintzeaz gain, irakurketa gehiagorako galdera eta iradokizun sorta bat ere eskaintzen digun liburua. senti ezazu istorioa lehen pertsonan modu berezi batean. Ilustrazio koloretsu ederrak.

Un libro que no solamente nos ofrece el cuento donde Elmer celebra su día con todos sus compañeros y el resto de los animales que viven en la selva de una manera divertida, sino que también nos ofrece una serie de preguntas y sugerencias para realizar una lectura complementaria que nos hace sentir la historia en primera persona de un modo especial. Bonitas ilustraciones llenas de color.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elmer's Special Day (Hardcover) by David McKee, Hindi language translation by Vidushak- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of Elmer, a patchwork elephant. It's almost Elmer Day again for the elephants, and they are getting their colorful parade outfits ready. But in their excitement, they are making an awful lot of noise and upsetting the other animals. So, Elmer changes the rules that other animals who participate in the parade have to wear an elephant head. Thus, on Elmer’s invitation every single animal to join in the parade. As all wear elephant heads, they enjoy their antics. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the contents of the book. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[D. Dorka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A három (eddig) általam olvasott Elmer-kötetből egyértelműen ez a kedvenc: gyakorlatilag az empátia könyve. Amikor 1 napra minden megfordul, és Elmer lesz szürke elefánt, a szürke elefántok pedig mindenféle színes elefántok. Az pedig külön jó, hogy azt is bemutatja, hogy amit másnak szórakozás csinálni, az a másiknak lehet, hogy csak idegesítő zaj. Az mondjuk nem univerzális megoldás, hogy akkor vonjuk be azt is a buliba, akit idegesít. A szomszédok nem hiszem, hogy a hangos zene miatt panaszkodva hirtelen boldogok lennének, ha erre őket is meghívnák a buliba. De azért az a befogadás, hogy nemcsak az elefántok vehetnék részt ebben a különleges napban, egy nagyon kedves gesztus.

[Le Maistre Chat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute picture book series about an elephant who looks like a patchwork quilt instead of being gray. This gives author/painter David McKee's illustrations an eye-catching style.
I'm not a big enough fan of the series to buy my 2-year-old all 41 at full price, but our first were grandmother gifts and I'll see what deals I can find.
"Elmer's Special Day" is about the elephants making too much noise as they dress up for Elmer's Day (when everyone else has to be colorful and Elmer turns gray), so the elephants explain what they're doing and invite everyone to participate. They all do, making elephant masks.
Each of the Elmer books has a moral, but there doesn't seem to be much plot.

[✨️ Louise Allen ✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved *Elmer's Special Day*! David McKee has done a fantastic job capturing the joyful spirit of celebration and friendship. The story is charming and engaging, perfect for young readers, but also enjoyable for adults. The illustrations are bright, cheerful, and full of character, really bringing Elmer’s world to life. It’s a lovely reminder of the importance of making others feel special and appreciated. A delightful read that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend – five stars all the way!

[Sanna lukee lapselle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elmeri on meillä uusi tuttavuus, mutta näitä kirjoja tulee varmasti luettua lisää. Ainakin tämä oli iso hitti. Kirjassa värikäs norsu Elmeri valmistautuu norsuystävineen Elmerinpäivään, jolloin kaikki muut norsut koristautuvat värikkäiksi ja vain Elmeri saa olla norsunvärinen. Kun muut eläimet valittavat juhlavalmisteluista aiheutuvasta melusta, Elmeri saa ne leppymään kutsumalle ne mukaan suureen paraatiin, koristeineen kaikkineen.

[Chantal HK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elmer est un petit éléphant différent. Contrairement à ses congénaires, il est coloré. Une fois par année, il y a une parade d'éléphant lors de laquelle tous les éléphants se peignent en couleur, alors que lui, il se peint en gris. Tout va jusqu'au jour ou les préparatifs trop bruyants dérangent les autres animaux... que faire? Magique!
Un petit bijoux! Images splendides, récit simple et accessible.

[Anca de Ursu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foarte simpatica si aceasta carte avandu-l ca personaj principal pe Elmer.
Si-mi plac mult ideile aparute aici: invitatia facuta si celorlalte animale - care le schimba atitudinea fatza de atmosfera deja creata de elefanti :) - si surpriza cu masca de elefant pe care au adoptat-o celelalte animale :).

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The neighbors complain when the elephants are making too much noise getting ready for Elmer Day. When Elmer can't get the elephants to stay quiet, he decides to invite the other animals to join in the festivities. I thought the elephant masks were a little scary at the end, but I enjoyed the colorful patterns.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one I really love! And I cannot get over there being an Elmer day, I think I may bring that one into the classroom. It’s really sweet how all the animals dressed up just like Elmer and the double spread bleed made the whole experience come to life.

[Marcia Van Camp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all the animals dressed up as elephants

[Senthil Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story for the kids

We liked the story very much and also the colourful drawings. The elephants were happy at the end and so were we

[LY Tay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely 5 star. What a great story to illustrate inclusiveness!

[Jennifer Fann-Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic

[Poppy Thorpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel to the original where even more of the jungle get involved in Elmer's day! A lovely read.

[Negar]

*ورژن فارسی

[Veera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suomeksi Elmerin tärkeä päivä
Ihanan värikäs kirja.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy library choice due to its bright colors. What a great story! The illustrations make the book especially wonderful. On Elmer's Day, all the elephants (and other animals) paint themselves brightly for a parade in honor of Elmer, who colors himself to look like a normal, gray elephant. Each page shows more brightly colored and excited animals celebrating Elmer :) Very cute.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still prefer the original Elmer- but this one is fun and has even brighter illustrations!

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, colorful book.