Elmer and the Bedtime Story

Name: William Joseph
Price range: $

by David McKee

Interest age: 2 to 5

Published by Andersen Press, 2021

Funny
Picture books

About this book

Elmer, everyone’s favourite patchwork elephant, is looking after young elephants Stella and Mel. To keep them occupied, he takes them on an afternoon stroll through the jungle. On their journey, they meet lots of other animals, each of whom have different ideas about which story Elmer should tell Stella and Mel at bedtime. While the lions like the one about the magic biscuit, the crocodiles prefer the tale about the monster who lost his shadow and the rabbits’ favourite is the one about the invisible teddy bear. However, Elmer has his own ideas about how to help the youngsters drift off to sleep.

Children will love joining in with the repeated phrase, ‘Tell them a story, that will do it’, which helps to propel the tale along. The range of story suggestions throughout the book are ideal to prompt imaginative discussion and children may even have their own favourites that they’d like to share.

With colourful watercolour illustrations and gentle humour, this charming tale is the perfect bedtime read.

About the author

David McKee was born and brought up in South Devon, where he went from grammar school to Plymouth Art College. Whilst still at college he started selling one-off cartoons to newspapers and on graduation, he began to contribute to such publications as Punch, the Times Education Supplement and Reader's Digest. His first book, Two Can Toucan, was published in 1964 and since then he has written and illustrated numerous children's books. Of his many beloved quirky characters, Elmer the Elephant and Mr Benn are possibly the most well-known. He died in April 2022, aged 87.