| Product: |
Elmer In The Snow - David McKee |
| Date: |
21/01/08 (111 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Shows how much fun it can be to play with friends in the snow
Disadvantages: None
***Background***
Most of you will know by now that we're big fans of Elmer in our household and have read most of David McKee's series of books about this colourful patchwork elephant. I have managed to write quite a few different reviews on here about this lovely character. There is the odd occasion though when we come across a different one in the library and this is what happened here.
***The Story***
The elephants in the jungle are a bit cold today so when Elmer suggests that they go for a walk to warm themselves up, they all agree that it's an excellent idea.
They soon get very high up and the elephants are amazed to see snow. They haven't seen it before but have heard about it and all agree that although it's very cold, it's also great fun.
Elmer shows them an icy pond and it's not long before they are all slipping on it. They don't notice Elmer has sneaked away until they suddenly hear him shouting for help. He says he has frozen solid and when they all rush to find him they see a white elephant in snow.
They are all worried until one elephant touches it and realises that it is made of snow. They follow the footprints in the snow and finally find Elmer hiding behind a big pile of snow, waiting to throw snowballs at them all. They all start to have a snowball fight and have lots of fun.
When it starts to snow again they all agree that they should head for home and they all agree that even though snow is good fun, it's nice to be back in the warmth of the jungle again.
***The Illustrations***
As with all the Elmer books this one is bright and colourful although it is quite unusual to see so much white in the background at the snowy scenes. One thing that does still feature throughout is the little blue birds that follow Elmer and his chums through the jungle.
***My Thoughts***
All kids love playing in the snow so this book is bound to be a favourite with little ones who love to make snowmen and have snowball fights, especially if like my son, you are in an area that gets very little snow and even when the weathermen promise it's on its way, not a single flake appears.
Elmer is one of my favourite storybook characters. He is always on the lookout for fun but also likes to share new experiences with his friends. He has a mischievous personality but it is never malicious.
I'm not sure what it is that makes the character so popular, although I know that elephants are very attractive to a lot of people. Maybe it's just because it's nice to see that someone who is different from those around him, can be accepted in such an easy way. I think the idea that at the end of the day, he is just an elephant, is a great way of showing children how to accept people who aren't quite the same as themselves.
This story is a great one to read, as it is simple and funny throughout. It doesn't really have a moral in this one, unlike some of the other Elmer stories, but I suppose it does show how friends can have fun together and that is what is important for children.
The illustrations are lovely, as always, and you really notice the contrasts between the bright colours of the jungle and the snowy mountaintops. Even the sky shows the warmth in the jungle scenes with its orange sunsets, whereas the snowy scenes show a greyer sky, which makes you imagine how cold it must be.
The bluebirds are a great favourite with my son who loves to find and count them all on each page. The good thing is that the number varies on each page so spotting them all can be quite tricky sometimes.
I'm sure I'm going to be reviewing another Elmer book at some point in the future, as this character is certainly going to stay popular in my house for quite some time.
***Other Elmer Books***
Elmer
Elmer Again
Elmer and Snake
Elmer and the Hippos
Elmer On Stilts
Elmer and the Stranger
Elmer's Hide and Seek
Elmer and the Wind
Elmer and Butterfly
Elmer and Rose
Elmer and Wilbur
Elmer and Grandpa Eldo
Look! There's Elmer
Elmer and Aunt Zelda
Elmer and the Lost Teddy
***Price & Availability***
This paperback is available for the purchasing price of £4.99 but is available from WH Smith for only £3.99.
ISBN No. 0099721317
Summary: Another great book from David McKee
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