Elmer by David McKee

Elmer. 
By David McKee, Illus. by author.
1989, 64 pg., Chinese translation copyright 2002, Heryin Publishing Co. ISBN 986-7942-11-6
Ages 3 and up. No official website.

Among his gray elephant pack, Elmer stands out as a different kind of elephant. He is a patchwork colored elephant. Elmer learns that out that being different is not so bad when he experiences life on the other side.

Books such as Elmer are fantastic. It is difficult for Elmer to merely go with the crowd, so he develop a sense of humor that ultimately makes him more unique than his patchwork coloration.

This might be a complicated controversial topic (race color differences) in recent times, but they really needn't be made into complicated issues. What matters is acceptance of others differences and the individual's uniqueness. I think that this book is simply truthful and I love that humor that encourages children to laugh. Not laugh at differences but a laughter inspired by good humor.

Elmer is a great book to inspire children to laugh and embrace their differences instead of trying to find ways to camouflage them in order to blend with the pack. A topic should appeal to many. Hopefully, this book will encourage early literacy through the story and vivid illustrations. This edition is particularly great because it is actually two books in one. The first is written in Chinese and the second part is the original English. It's nice to have a bilingual book like this. Especially, considering the content.

YouTube video of author David McKee--