Elmer's Colours - David McKee

Advantages: Brilliant character, and a colourful book
Disadvantages: None

My son was first bought this book by his Nanny when he was not quite 12 months. At this time he'd started having a real interest in books and this was no exception. Since then this has been one of his favourite reads and has got all the chew marks and bends to prove it! Elmer is a brightly coloured patchwork elephant, who is a very friendly character, and just seems to appeal to kids. With having several of the Elmer books, my two boys have become ...
...books. I think it is great for the kids to have an interest in reading these books, as they all have a lesson to teach. This one, as you might have guessed, focuses on teaching colours (don't be confused by the above picture as Ciao have posted the wrong picture! See below for the proper one). Elmer has 9 colours in total and the book teaches all of these colours, and where they might appear in everyday life. Because it teaches the colours that Elmer ... Read review

Advantages: Great for pre-school children for learning colours.
Disadvantages: Too short.

...Elmer and the Stranger * Elmer's Weather * Elmer's Friends As you can say from just a few of the titles in the series, a lot of the books deal with things that are relevant to very young children and also deal with some PSE issues, i.e strangers and being different. ~ The book ~ It begins with rows of different colours and their names and asks the reader 'What is your favourite colour? Elmer has them all.' It then goes through a range of colours ...
...is a snowman Green is the grass Red is the sunset Black is the darkest night The only one I would question is 'pink is a strawberry ice-lolly.' Where I come from strawberry lollies are generally red and this has been picked up by some of the four year olds I have read this to. Throughout the story Elmer is included, e.g. Elmer loves to watch the sunset go down and loves to run across the green grass. It ends with Elmer going to sleep in the ... Read review

Advantages: Lift-the-flap opportunities, great illustrations etc...
Disadvantages: None

...Before I begin, the photo shown by ciao has a slightly different title to mine but I've checked and the content is the same. Mine is entitled 'Elmer's Hide-And-Seek'. ~ Who is Elmer? ~ Elmer is the creation of David McKee. I'm never sure of the sex of Elmer, the name to me suggests a girl but I would appreciate it if someone could verify this. Anyway I will for the purpose of this review use 'she'. Elmer is an elephant, but no ordinary elephant...............she's not grey like the others but is a brightly coloured patchwork elephant who instantly appeals to young children who generally love vibrant colours. Elmer was first introduced in 1989 with the book 'Elmer' , since then David McKee has written countless books in the series: * Elmer Again * Elmer on Stilts * Elmer and Wilbur * Elmer and the Wind * Elmer... Read review

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Advantages: It's Elmer
Disadvantages: none

...***The Background*** Elmer is the special creation from David McKee that has delighted children for many years. This colourful patchwork elephant is full of fun and the stories always seem to have a little bit of a good advice in them for children. This book introduces Aunt Zelda to us. She is a purple elephant with blue diamonds on her. ***The Story*** The story starts with Elmer playing hide-and-seek when his cousin Wilbur reminds him that they are supposed to be visiting Aunt Zelda. “‘Aunt Zelda has moved, hasn’t she?’ Elmer asked Wilbur. ‘I wonder why?’ ‘I don’t know, but she’s getting old,’ said Wilbur. ‘And deaf,’ said Elmer.” They walk along and come to a whole herd of elephants so Wilbur plays a trick with his voice and Zelda immediately recognises him. Every time Elmer tries to chat to Aunt Zelda, she... Read review

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Advantages: Shows how much fun it can be to play with friends in the snow.
Disadvantages: None

...***Background*** Most of you will know by now that we're big fans of Elmer in our household and have read most of David McKee's series of books about this colourful patchwork elephant. I have managed to write quite a few different reviews on here about this lovely character. There is the odd occasion though when we come across a different one in the library and this is what happened here. ***The Story*** The elephants in the jungle are a bit cold today so when Elmer suggests that they go for a walk to warm themselves up, they all agree that it's an excellent idea. They soon get very high up and the elephants are amazed to see snow. They haven't seen it before but have heard about it and all agree that although it's very cold, it's also great fun. Elmer shows them an icy pond and it's not long before they are all... Read review

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