Annual celebration of David McKee’s patchwork elephant returns with in-person and bookshop events on Saturday 28th May
Elmer Day returns on 28th May with a return to in-person and bookshop events around the country, plus a herd of new and exciting partnerships, and paperback of the latest Elmer picture book Elmer and the Bedtime story by the late, great David McKee. Rounding it off is the first Elmer title available on Yoto, the interactive kids’ audio platform.
Elmer Day is Andersen press’ annual celebration of David McKee’s iconic patchwork elephant, encouraging bookshops, libraries, schools, nurseries and families at home to celebrate Elmer’s message of friendship, inclusivity and to embrace everyone’s colours.
The free activity pack is available for download now here, we have already had over 1500 downloads with more to come in the run-up to the day itself. The pack is a selection of activity sheets and ideas for games, lessons and story times featuring Elmer, with new resources from charity partners The Sleep Charity, with sleep hints and tips based on the latest Elmer book Elmer and the Bedtime Story, activities from LGBT+ charity Just Like Us extending our Elmer Pride activity from 2021 and resources from anti-bullying charity partner Kidscape.
In-person events are also back following a halt on them during the COVID19 pandemic, with Elmer costume appearances and story times in Waterstones stores in Kensington, Altrincham, Manchester Deansgate and Arndale Centre.
Our partners at Chessington World of Adventures will celebrate the brilliant Elmer’s Flying Jumbo’s ride with their special Mardi Grrra! Event from 27th May, which will see Elmer and his own ‘Kolour Krewe’ take centre stage in the park with songs, dance and character meet-and-greets. More on the event here.
May 2022 is also an exciting time for licensing. Audio platform, Yoto have launched their first ever Elmer title; The Elmer Collection will be made available for use with the award-winning Yoto Player and new Yoto Mini. Yoto is a screen-free audio platform that ignites children’s imagination and creativity. Yoto’s carefully connected speakers put kids safely in control of their listening, learning and play – no cameras, microphones, or ads.
In addition, Dennicci have launched new babywear ranges with Matalan and Tu at Sainsbury’s and Robert Frederick have launched Elmer storage boxes with The Works. Plush and toy licensee Rainbow Designs and greetings card licensee Danilo are hosting social media competitions.
Elmer Day is 28th May 2022. FREE activity pack is available to download here: https://www.elmer.co.uk/elmer-day/
