Elmer and the Whales

by David McKee

Elmer and his cousin Wilbur decide to go to the coast to see the whales. But their journey becomes far more of an adventure then they expected, when they find themselves lost at sea. Can the whales help them back to shore?'Another Elmer classic that children will love' - EYE

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Animals, Adventure

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 2013

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

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elmeri ja Viljami suuntaavat merelle katsomaan ohiuivia valaita. Kaikki ei tosin mene alkuperäisen suunnitelman mukaan, kun norsuserkukset päättävät hieman oikaista reittiään. Mutta onneksi Elmeri ja Viljami ovat varsin rohkeita seikkailijoita - se taitaa muuten olla sukuvika!

Hassun hauska tarina Elmerin matkassa; näissä kirjoissa nautin eniten värikylläisestä kuvituksesta.

[Eline · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely bright illustrations with various textures and patterns which could be used to inspire art such as collages. It would be suitable to read with FS and year 1 children. It’s a story about the animals going on an adventure to find the sea, inspired by Elmer’s grandpa, but it goes wrong and they end up amongst the whales as their grandpa did years ago. It’s not the most exciting story so children may not enjoy it as much as others but it’s still a colourful short story which could be read at the end of the day or just before lunch.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

McKee, David Elmer and the Whales. PICTURE BOOK. Lerner Publishing Group, 2014. $16.95. Content: G.

Elmer and his cousin Wilbur visited Grandpa Eldo. “When I was your age,” said Grandpa Eldo, “at this time of year, I used to follow the river down to the coast and watch the whales go by.” Elmer and Wilmer are fascinated and decide to give it a try. Different animal friends help them and laugh at them as they journey down the river. But exhaustion gets the best of them and Elmer and Wilbur end up falling asleep. Where do they end up? Will they get to see the whales like their grandfather did? And will they find their way back home?

Read Elmer and Wilbur’s adventure in this fun picture book by David McKee. We loved the illustrations but thought the story was a little slow.

Pre-K. EL (K-3). OPTIONAL. Reviewer: SL.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[✨️ Louise Allen ✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved *Elmer and the Whales* by David McKee. It’s a charming story that captures the gentle nature of these magnificent creatures of the sea — the whales. The illustrations are vibrant and full of life, really bringing the story to life for young readers.

What makes this book particularly special is its subtle but vital message about the importance of protecting whales and respecting their place in our oceans. These gentle giants deserve our care and kindness, and the story beautifully reminds us never to hurt or harm them. It’s a wonderful way to teach children about conservation and the need to look after our planet’s incredible wildlife.

A fantastic read that combines fun storytelling with an essential lesson. Highly recommended for young animal lovers and anyone wanting to inspire kindness towards our marine friends.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two patchwork elephants becoming lost at sea?

Sure. You can imagine how that happens, right, Goodreaders?

Friendly whales are part of the fun, as well as wonderfully cozy dialog -- such as this sample:

"Come with us, Lion," said Elmer. "You too, Tiger."

"I'd love to, Elmer," said Lion, "but I have a nap that needs finishing."

"Sorry, said Tiger, "I have to be back by teatime, and the sea is a long way away."

I'm giving this book FIVE STARS because, you know what? The more Elmer books I read, the more delightful I find the illustrations, and also the more soothed I feel by friendly feelings from animal characters who live in this extremely safe fantasy world.

[Le Maistre Chat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elmer and Wilbur's Grandpa Eldo tells them he once walked down to the sea and saw whales. They want to see whales too. Crocodiles and monkeys help them make the trip easier by using a raft. They wash out to sea. Whales help them and tell them this is the second time they've seen an elephant on a raft. The cousins are annoyed that Grandpa Eldo didn't tell them the true story.
I thought the twist was presented in an odd, disjointed way. Otherwise, typical Elmer book.

[Angel Serrano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elmer y su primo Wilbur, los dos elefantes cuadriculados, deciden explorar a dónde lleva el río que pasa junto a su casa. Para ir más deprisa y siguiendo el consejo del abuelo, construyen una balsa. Pero algo saldrá mal y sólo gracias a las ballenas todo se solucionará.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wilbur and Elmer set off to see the whales at Grandpa Eldo's suggestion. With help from other animals, they construct a raft and travel to the sea. The whales help them get back to shore and the elephants learn that Grandpa did make the same journey too.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so awesome Elmer is an amazing elafant and did you know that elephants can squirt water out of their trunk and whales can too they can squirt it out there blowhole that's the same thing about whales and elephants

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elmer and his cousin Wilbur ride a raft down the river to see the whales. I love the artwork in all the different scenes, especially the red canyon. I also love when the whales say they have seen a golden elephant before, the tie in with Grandpa Eldo.

[Kenson and kirra · Rating 3 out of 5]

elmer and wilber go on a journey. they make some mistakes along the way. only to find out that their grandpa had made the smae mistakes when he was young. lessons learned: never trust a crocodile

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea of Elmer but his books are always good enough but not great. There are so many great Elmer crafts though!

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zander, my 5-year-old, loves the Elmer books. The pictures are happy and joyful.

[DiAnne Warfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holt-Delhi library PJ story time 11-22-2023

[Natalia Carolina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Los libros de elmer son generalmente lindos, pero no creo que este aporte algo muy especial a los niños

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Elmer and his cousin take a trip aboard a raft to see the whales and find that they aren't the elephants the whales have ever met.

There were some minor elements of adventure included (i.e. exotic animals, rapids), but nothing really knocked my socks off. Overall, much lamer than I was expecting. PreK-2.

[Melody Harmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seemed to be lacking in the story department. It was a generic story about friends going on a trip. The art work to me seemed cluttered, but my son enjoyed it. The best thing about this book is that it had multiples of animals throughout the pages. I worked with my son to find all the animals of one kind on a page, and count them. He thoroughly enjoyed this activity.

[Cookie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read on kindle.

Great, vivid illustrations that really were fun to view on the kindle. This was the upside.

The downside was that the story was pretty common. Two cousin elephants journey to the ocean and encounter creatures along the way. A cutesy adventure story for the beginning reader, but very rote. Nothing about the story lends itself to a re-read.

But the pictures were fun!

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elmer and his cousin follow in Grandpa's footsteps and follow the river to the ocean to meet the whales. Along the way they meet monkeys and alligators who help them build a raft. Soon they're drifting down the river to the sea and into the unknown.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sequel to the Elmer story about the patchwork elephant who wants to fit in. It's pretty lighthearted and silly - about two elephants who take a journey on a raft and end up meeting some whales. Good for ECE level readers.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but not sure the point

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elmer and Wilbur take a trip on a raft.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elewhales?

[Courtney Baird]

This book is based on 3 elephants and a group of whales. 2 elphants go to visit their gandpa when he tells them about a trip he took to go see the whales. Grandpa sends the 2 elephants on this journey where they get some help from some crocodiles and make their way. They drift to sleep and when they are awoken they find themselves in the middle of the ocean with the whales. They ask for a push to shore and when they are talking to the whales the whale says he remembers seeing a yellow elephant do the sam ething years before. Both elephants realize that that was their grandpa!