Elmar und die rosarote Rosa

Elmer

by David McKee

Elmer celebrates the uniqueness of each individual when he meets a new girl elephant — who happens to be pink!

Grandpa Eldo asks Elmer and Wilbur to help a young elephant find her way back to her herd — and they get a shock when they see she is pink! No wonder she is called Rose. But there is an even greater surprise in store when they reach her herd — because every single one of them is pink!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Friendship, Fantasy

Hardcover

First published July 7, 2005

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]

Elmer and Wilbur are cousins and are going to see Grandpa Eldo but on the way they meet grey elephants. Grandpa Eldo introduces Elmer and Wilbur to Rose. Elmer and Wilbur are patchwork elephants and Rose is a pink elephant who blushes furiously. When Rose learns that there are grey elephants, she finds them strange because all her hers is pink.

I like the idea that everyone is unique in their own way but there was no plot at all. I liked the colorful pictures though.

2 stars

[La Coccinelle]

This book has a really weak plot. I would've liked to read the first book in the series, but the library didn't have the e-book. I think I get the idea, though. Elmer is a patchwork elephant and he looks different. I don't know if all the books in the series are about looking different, but this one is. Elmer and his cousin meet a young pink elephant named Rose (who's petite and blushes a lot; I found her to be a little bit of annoying gender stereotype). Rose has become separated from her herd, so Elmer and Wilbur take her back to rejoin them. On the way, they see a grey elephant and Rose thinks he's strange. We don't find out why until we see her herd... which is all pink elephants!

The pictures are certainly bright and appealing, but the story is so sparse it almost isn't there. And the writing started off on a bad foot for me when a character smiled their speech on the very first page (*pet peeve alert!*).

I think I can do without Elmer in my life. At least now I know what the character is all about.

[Virginia Spence]

Delightful young child's book in Greek.

[Kara]

This is a valuable and heart warming story about what it truly means to be unique. This would be great to use at the beginning of the year in a classroom when students are figuring out how they belong, but what also makes them unique!

[Kenson and kirra]

Each elephant thinks they are ordinary, when really they all are unique and sepecial and nice

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams]

I love how this book illustrates that what is different and unique in one group may not be different and unique in other groups. And what is common in one group may not be common in other groups.

[D. Dorka]

Nem hallottam még David McKee-ről, holott a fülszöveg alapján a kötetei nagyon népszerűek, illetve nem egy történetét meg is filmesítették. Elmerről, az elefántról szóló történetcsokra 1989-ben indult.

Könyvtár nélkül nem sikerült kivitelezni, hogy az első kötettel kezdjem, ami csak azért kellemetlen egy kicsit, mert mégis csak ott van lefektetve az alapja, hogy kicsoda is Elmer, és miért kockás. De ettől függetlenül is élveztem ezt a ki-tudja-hanyadik kötetet.

Bár gyanítom, hogy az alapsztori lényege is valami a konvencionálistól való eltérés, ez a történet csavar még egyet a dolgon, amikor a kockás elefánt elhűl a pink kiselefánt látványán, a pink elefánt meg a „normális” szürke elefántokat tartja furcsának. A lényeg: mindenkinek más a „normális”, máshoz szokott hozzá.

[Fouli]

This book talks about how it is to be different and unique in a crowd of seemingly similar individuals and how it may feel being so unique in the first glance. I really liked how it points out that being considered unique in a particular group may not be considered so different in another group. And how uniqueness is not only what can be realized on the first glance but also on a deeper level. It is a sweet story with a very nice message for little children and how they may feel about fitting in or not fitting in. The message is given very simply so I believe it's very easy to take in by even smaller children. The illustrations are very cute and the colors very bright and vibrant so it's very easy to to make an impression to children.

[✨️ Louise Allen ✨️]

Honestly, I absolutely loved *Elmer and Rose*. It’s such a charming little story that really tugged at my heartstrings. David McKee’s illustrations are as vibrant and joyful as ever, bringing the characters to life in such a delightful way. The story itself is a lovely reminder about friendship, kindness, and embracing what makes us unique — perfect for both kids and the young at heart. I found myself smiling throughout and feeling a warm glow inside. Definitely a five-star read in my book — can’t recommend it enough!

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine)]

Author and Illustrator: David McKee
Age Recommendation: 3-8 years. It's theme is something that is taught at this age.
Art Style: Bright, colourful, fun
Topic/ Theme: Uniqueness and friendship
Series: Elmer

This book, in fact the whole series not only gives an opportunity to encourage not only learning of the theme but counting and identifying. Set in the jungle there are not only the elephants but other jungle animals, a tiger with her cubs, lion, monkeys, birds appear on virtually every page. The style is one that isn't realistic (well let's be honest Elmer is rainbow patchwork) but the trees are a twisted and most of the animals a little off realistic. As junior picture fiction that's not really an issue.
I can see this being a good read to book, particularly for those with decent performance skills there is enough spoken to entertain the relevant age group.
That said, there are better books in this series.

[Gabrielle Sandford-Marshall]

(Elmer) Grandpa Eldo asks Elmer and Wilbur to help a young elephant find her way back to her herd - and they get a shock when they see she is pink! No wonder she is called Rose. But there is an even greater surprise in store when they reach her herd - because everyone single one of them is pink!

A lovely and colourful book packed with engaging illustrations for younger children!

[Sourimak]

Une chouette aventure d'Elmer qui invite à changer de point de vue pour s'apercevoir que ce qui nous semble normal ne l'est pas forcément pour tout le monde et vice-versa. Une jolie leçon avec le fameux Elmer, ce qui ne gâche rien !

[Anthony]

Elmer, the patchwork elephant and his cousin Wilber are asked by Grandpa Eldo to help escort a young pink elephant named Rose back to her herd. Adventure, fun and friendships are developed during their travels.

[Faith Jones]

This book is definitely for older children, or for an adult to read aloud. I did like this book, its words are bigger, giving kids a better vocabulary set. It also has many rhyming words. I like how this book teaches a lesson that it’s okay to be unique, that’s great for children.

[Pam]

Elmer and Wilbur meet a lost young elephant named Rose. To their surprise, she is completely pink. They help her get home and discover she is not unique in her herd. Love the message to readers that we are all special and all fit in.

[Kaitlyn Branch]

This book was very appealing to me, and I found interest in the storyline of characters that were well known due to a series. This is something I would love to read to my kids when the time comes.

[Luke Messarides]

Nice illustrations but awful plot and written in a really strange way that's not easily understood by children

[Chloe]

This book is great for difference/uniqueness.

[Lillian Slater]

Everyone is unique in their own way 🖤

[iasonas]

entertaining one and the kid seemed interested

[Hm]

nice

[Kelly Dean]

Read with my eldest

[Heidi-Marie]

I'm not overly impressed with this one. I guess there must be other Elmer books. I didn't know that until the end, so I kept wondering why Wilbur was left out when it came to the title. The story is okay, but it seemed to be off. I'm not sure how to describe that. The pictures are great for children with their bright colors and a slight sense of childish drawing while still being "neat" and full of imagination.

[Laura]

Elmer and his cousin Wilbur are charged with returning their blushing, pink cousin Rose to her herd. When the elephants find the herd, Elmer and Wilbur are in for a colorful surprise.

I love Elmer, but this was not one of my favorite books to read. I read it to a Kindergarten class on the fly, which was a mistake. The book needs careful discussion of key vocabulary terms, including the term unique.

[Piper]

I picked this book out from the library one day. Mama read it to me once, and I never asked her to read it again...I guess that means I didn't really enjoy it. Mama says she didn't really like it much, either.

[Allison]

Being unique is all relative!

[MaryLibrarianOH]

Elmer the elephant meets Rose who he thinks is unusual because she is pink. Both unusual elephants learn that being different is all a matter of perspective. Corinne ought to like this one too.

[Emily]

Not as good as the original Elmer book, but Rose is so cute!!!

[Readergirl77]

Nathan loved Rose and her herd of pink elephants. Each and every elephant is unique in it's own way.

[Peacegal]

Tots will enjoy the vivid colors but the storyline is rather shaky.