Elmer and the Gift

Name: William Joseph
Price range: $

by David McKee

Interest age: 2 to 3

Published by Andersen Press, 2022

About this book

Elmer’s Aunt Zelda is looking for him because she’s got something to give him. But she can’t remember what or where it is! Maybe Grandpa Eldo knows? As Elmer, Aunt Zelda and Rose walk along, they chat and it becomes clear that Aunt Zelda is a bit confused. Luckily, Grandpa Eldo is on hand to solve the muddle.

As always, Elmer the elephant is friendly and kind. He doesn’t laugh at Aunt Zelda when she mishears him, though it’s sometimes humorous, and he simply wants to help her remember. This gentle story is perfect for sharing and could spark conversations about family members who are becoming confused, or have dementia or Alzheimer’s.

This is the 30^th and final Elmer storybook from beloved storyteller and artist David McKee, who won the BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.

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.