Elmer: 30th Anniversary Edition: 1 (Elmer Picture Books)

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Look at the decorated elephants on Elmer Day. Which is your favourite? Can you explain why? Can you describe one of the elephants to a friend who has to guess which one you are thinking of? Planning an English lesson about Elmer the Elephant? You can find all the activities you need to keep your pupils entertained right here. If you'd like some ideas to get you started, then look no further: In today’s world, it has become less common to know your neighbours and talk to people in your community, or on the street. When Elmer passes through the jungle, his distinctiveness means all of the animals in the jungle know him by name, and say hello when he passes by. Elmer was first published by Dobson Books in 1968, and re-issued with re-drawn illustrations in a slightly shortened version by Andersen Press in 1989. [1] It was inspired by the mascot of the Bordeaux zoo (which closed in 1974) in France. The books are published in the United Kingdom by Andersen Press and were published in the United States by HarperCollins originally, Andersen press USA now publishes in America. Forty-one book titles have been created since 1989, and the series has sold more than eight million copies in fifty languages around the world. Satoshi Kitamura carried out the Japanese translation. Elmer felt that something was wrong ... the more he looked at the serious, silent, still standing elephants, the more he wanted to laugh. Finally he could bear it no longer ...”

Children’s adults will be just as entertained as they are, and in my opinion that’s one thing that makes a great children’s picture book. I can see why this is a classic. Why not use this Elmer Word Mat to help children learn all the vocabulary associated with this story? It includes words such as herd, jungle, patchwork and different to help pupils write and talk about the story. An old elephant says to Elmer “It didn’t take you long to show your true colours.” Discuss what this expression means. Try role-play activities from the other elephants’ point of view… How do they feel about Elmer? How did they feel when we turned grey and then surprised them all? How do they decide how to decorate themselves on Elmer Day?

Teaching about the latest events?

Unfortunately, Elmer thinks that maybe the other elephants are laughing at him – for being different – instead of laughing with him – for being funny and loveable.

The stories are suitable for early exploration of the themes and issues relating to the concept of Diversity. 28 May 2016 was declared Elmer's Day by publisher Andersen Press. [2] Libraries and bookshops across Britain held Elmer themed events. [3] External links [ edit ]Imagine you had a clone: they look like you, talk like you, and like the same things. Would your clone be a good friend? Would you rather be friends with this clone or your best friend?

But it wasn't just the artwork that made me love this book. I loved the character of Elmer, and the story. The message is one I thoroughly believe in. Elmer, being patchwork, is totally different from the other elephants. He's also different in personality - he's jolly, fun, mischievous, and makes them laugh. But he gets a bit self-conscious about the fact that he looks different, so he disguises himself by rubbing himself witih elephant-coloured berries. You can guess the gist of what's coming, of course - but this isn't your usual, ruggedly individualistic 'Be yourself and screw everyone else!' moral. It's not so much about Elmer, but about the whole herd. The point is that the other elephants become sad - they don't recognise Elmer and the atmosphere of the whole herd changes at not having Elmer there. They become quiet and sombre, and are delighted to find him again, when he reveals himself first through his personality, then from the rain washing off the berry juice.The story of Elmer has always been a memorable one. From my own memories of the story from when I was little it has always held a strong yet familiar moral message. The Elmer books have been translated into more than 50 languages and there are now Elmer the elephant toys, clothes and even fairground rides across the world. Look at the shapes and patterns on the decorated elephants. Do any of them have repeating patterns, symmetry, or tessellation? This book was given to my son as a gift and what a fabulous book it was. It touches on the want to be accepted because of similarities rather than being unique. Therefore with this in mind, the book cleverly highlights some important themes. Rings alarm bells for me and my son! Visual Discrimination is determining differences in color, form, size, shape…Finding different sized squares to fit into the outline of our Elmer, discriminating the different colors, and shapes are a great way to work on this area.