Elmer

Author: David McKee https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jul/12/25-years-elmer-elephant-david-mckee
Publisher: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books
Date of Publication: 1968
Illustrator: David McKee https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jul/12/25-years-elmer-elephant-david-mckee
Genre Designation: Fiction
Lexile: AD600L

ELMER

Summary:

Elmer is an elephant that does not look like the others. He is brightly colored instead of the usual gray color. He does not feel like he fits in and believes all the other elephants are laughing at him. He decides to color himself gray to fit in. He joins the other elephants and no one knows it is him because he looks like everyone else. While colored gray he hear the other elephants wishing he were here to share the laughs with them. Suddenly a rains storm starts and all his gray color is washed away exposing his brightly colored skin. He realizes it is alright to be different and the other elephants pick a day to make themselves brightly colored like Elmer. On that particular day Elmer colors himself gray.

Target Audience:

The target audience for this book could be Pre k - 2nd grade. It is a great book to teach children about being different. We need to celebrate who we are and not be ashamed. This book also teaches that while we think every one is laughing at us. We need to understand that based on our differences that may not be the case. While this book does not have a direct bully. Elmer perceives himself to be the object of people laughter because he is not like the others.

Evaluation:

When you are presenting books to younger students first, they need to entertain. Elmer's bright vivid colors draw you to him immediately. While the students are drawn in by the colors and entertainment there is a lesson to be learned. This is a great way to introduce children to the idea of celebrating differences. It also allows children to not judge people based on appearance until you get to know them.

Reader Response Activity:

Give each child a coloring page of an elephant. Let them pretend they were one of the elephants on Elmer's Day Parade. What would they want to look like. Give the students many different art choices from sequence to crayons. This would be a great art project for a bulletin board. I could see the tag, "Celebrating Differences, Celebrating You."