Elmer Takes Off

Elmer

by David McKee

On a very, very windy day Elmer, the patchwork elephant, assures all the other animals and birds that nothing could ever blow him away.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

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

[Aneesa · Rating 2 out of 5]

No lesson learned

[Mario Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked trying to figure out the moral of the story a head of time, as I read about how Elmer kept playing pranks on the rest of his friends. The ending really surprised me and made me laugh. If this book was good enough to make me laugh, then I would definitely use it in my future classrooms with my young students as well. The bright colors were eye-catching, and its use of illustrations that covered the gutter of the book made its illustrations easy and clear to see. I also enjoyed the non-traditional format of text placement that it had, as some of its text blended in with the illustrations themselves, and made the reader's eyes have to scan and find the text from within the illustrations, rather than being in one predictable and same spot as previous pages were. I would recommend this book to teachers and Elementary school-aged children.

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

I recently had the pleasure of reading *Elmer and the Wind* by David McKee, and I must say, it’s a delightful read that truly captures the imagination. McKee’s signature vibrant illustrations bring the story to life, making it a joy to look at from start to finish. The narrative is charming and heartfelt, with Elmer’s usual humour and warmth shining through.

What I particularly appreciated was how the story gently explores themes of resilience and friendship, all wrapped up in a beautifully simple yet engaging tale. It’s perfect for young readers but also offers enough depth for adults to enjoy. A truly wonderful addition to the Elmer series — five stars without a doubt!

[Adriana Palencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say don’t judge a book from its cover but the beautiful colors on the cover caught my attention. I enjoyed how the author taught Elmer a lesson. Teachers or parents could explain to children that the other animals didn’t believe him because he had lied. Overall, it is a great and silly book that follows a flying elephant.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a very windy day Elmer and his cousin Wilber play a prank on their animal friends by pretending to be blown away in the wind. But when scolded by a bird friend of his Elmer sets out to prove that Elephants can't be blown away in the wind, but much to Elmer's surprise the wind gets under his ears and takes him aloft.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know how, but this book, the illustrations especially, transported me into a very young version of myself. I experienced the magic, the felt magic I once experienced, in feeling the colors, the movement, the story in my body. I haven't felt that in such a long time. It reminds me, in my work with children, to remember that young ones are in a really tender, beautiful, rich, sensory place and mindset and to be so GENTLE with them. To be listening, to be quiet, to be just as amazed at the shimmering world as they are.

[Oliver Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it all

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely little book that I read to my children back when they were small. This has so much nostalgia for me as a book I had to add it here just for this reason alone.

[Manolo V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debo decir que este libro desde su sencillez resulta muy interesante.

[Julia Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story for children. Our daughter loved it.
Really beautiful illustrations and a simple storyline which is easy for young readers to follow.

Good lesson is “cry wolf”

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elmer learns a hard lesson about being safe when the strong wind really does blow him away.

[J.D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

El apartado con las nubes es práctico para interactuar con niños. Onomatopeyas del clima.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elmer the elephant and his bird and elephant friends are taking shelter in a cave from the strong, strong wind. The birds warn Elmer that the wind will blow him away if he goes outside. He doesn't believe that at all! He takes his cousin Wilbur out of the cave and quickly hide in another cave. Wilbur makes voices outside the cave to sound like they're in trouble and flying away. When the other elephants come out to help, they see the joke and go back in the cave laughing. When the birds still think Elmer will fly away, he goes out again--this time in open land. He really does get taken up by the wind and blown a far way away. When he and his friends meet up again, Elmer tells them it is a great day for flying!

Okay for preschool storytimes.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this Elmer story, Elmer ends up flying away in the wind. Fortunately, at some point in his flight he actually starts enjoying it and is no longer in danger. You see, he and his cousin, Wilbur had been playing a joke on the other elephants and this story almost ended up being the story of the elephant who called wolf! This story has a nice flow and illustrations.

[Alexandria K · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Elmer, and Wilbur play a mean joke on there elephant friends Wilbur calls out is voice and then Elmer's and Wilbur calls out like Elmer flies away "Hold on to something, Elmer!" "Look out!" And then Wilbur says in Elmer's voice "Help!" "Help! I'm flying!"

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

So cute!! A fun adventure with Wilbur and Elmer. Wilbur is good at voices, so he and Elmer decide to play a trick on their elephant friends because it is such a windy day. What will Elmer do when his joke goes a little too far?? Will he be able to face the consequences? =)

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A windy day can cause enough lift for even elephants to get blown away...I guess they do have big ears! This is a sillier version of the classic "Boy That Cried Wolf" story....a fun moral tale.

[Sandrine]

Si vous pensez que les éléphants ne volent pas, lisez cet album et vous changerez vite de point de vue! Je crois que c'est un de mes préférés de la série!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right giggle fest !

[Wendopolis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funniest Elmer book yet!

[Maribel Reina]

Mis peques aman a Elmer, es increíble como un libro tan cortito puede suscitar tantas inquietudes y comentarios en los niños.

[Korcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Czytałyśmy już wiele razy i pewnie jakieś sto razy jeszcze przed nami. :)

http://korcimnieczytanie.blogspot.com...