Customer Reviews

Elmer (Elmer Books)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My daughters and I love this book, but I subtracted a star because it is not quite the same story I expected. We checked it out of the library a couple times, then had to have our own edition. The story and illustrations are slightly changed. My daughters, ages 2 and 4, noticed the changes, and I think the story misses out a little.

For example, the library book starts with a bit booming sound in the jungle and all the animals are startled, but then we find out it's just the herd of the happy elephants who are laughing. The book I just bought begins saying "There was once a herd of elephants," but then it goes on to say that they were happy. Also, this edition does not have the bird who helps Elmer in covering himself with elephant-colored berries. Same story, but some very sweet details are missing.

I don't know why they've shortened the story; maybe they think children cannot stay focused for the longer version. In any case, I will be looking for an older edition, or maybe there's a current book with the same story.

Overall great book, but it has been better.

My five year old daughter and I have our favorite time of the day every evening when I am taking her to bed. Then we read, read, read and read. Both picture books and chapter books.
It is important to keep on reading picture books to the kids also when they outgrow the age of a toddler. There are so many great pictures and art in picture books that can help the children widening their horizont.
With four kids in the house we have a huge collection of children's books, and among them some absolute favorites. And Elmer belongs to this group.
Elmer the elephant is different from the other elephants in the jungle. While the others are ordinary grey he has patchwork colors, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, blue, green, black, white - what a wonderful way to repeat colors over and over for a little human being.
But Elmer doesn't like to be different. He wants to be grey like the rest of the herd. Elmer finds a way to paint himself black, but to his, and to the young reader's surprise nobody recognizes him now when he is just as anybody else. Elmer is used to being seen, and has to do a trick to the others to be seen again. And the ending is in great honor to Elmer, the different one. And he has taught us a wonderful story about the importance of being the one you are meant to be, not to pretend being someone else.
The story has given us great opportunities to talk about the importance of being the one we are. We are created unique and our strength is in keeping this uniqueness.
The story has wonderful, simple paintings, bright colored. My five year old and I have alot of fun making an applique quilt of Elmer and his life. This book is a jewel either you have chidren or not.

This Character and book demonstrate the most important message and that is to accept all that you are, especially if you don ot neatly fit into a "typical" category! I love Elmer and can't wait to give it to my nephews and nieces.

I read this book for a childrens literature class at the college I attend. I WILL share this book with my students when I begin teaching because it teaches them the valuable lesson that Elmer learned. He was unhappy with who he was so he decided to change. All was fine until he realized who he was pretending to be wasn't himself. All children need the message: be yourself and be happy with yourself.

Elmer is a great book for children to learn to be themselves and to have fun doing it. It also teaches that, sometimes conformity isn't always the best way and that others can also see things from their perspective. Elmer is a great book for first time readers and for older readers to rediscover

This is a wonderful book! I am an art teacher and use it in my classroom to teach patterns. When I read it to my students (K-2) they laugh and giggle and just love it. It is also a great story to teach children that being different is aok and even something others may wish they were.

If you've never encountered Elmer before, you have to get this book. David McKee has a wonderful sense of humor and these books are just hysterical. Elmer, with a patchwork coat, is the jester in a herd of elephants. But, he starts to feel like the only reason they laugh at his jokes is because of how he looks. So, off he goes to roll in some gray berries to cover up his coat and when he returns to the herd, they just think he's another elephant. Without him, they just stand there, are very serious, and have no fun at all. Somehow, Elmer thinks this is funny and just has to laugh so he says "Boo" and all the elephants jump about a mile. They start laughing and wish Elmer was there to hear the joke when it starts to rain and off comes Elmer's disguise. They all laugh at his wonderful jokes and are very happy he's there. It's just a great book, very colorful and very intriguing to read. My little one just loves Elmer, so much so that I'm going to have to go to B&N and get him a stuffed Elmer and Wilbur! These are great books and are destined to become a classic.

I love this story because it exemplifies the importance of individuality! This is a wonderful lesson for children to see how everyone is unique. The illustrator did a great job of producing pictures that enhance the text.

Lovely children's book with beautiful illustrations.
Illustrations look contemporary although this is a classic.
This story has a sweet message.

I bought this book for my school library. It is one of the younger kids favorite books and it has a great moral focus lesson in it. The book was exactly as the seller described. It was shipped in a timely manner and well packaged for safe travel. Thank you!