| Product: |
Elmer's Hide-and-seek - David McKee |
| Date: |
30/12/06 (72 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Bright illustrations, lift-the-flap opportunities
Disadvantages: None
~ Who is Elmer? ~
Elmer is the creation of David McKee. I'm never sure of the sex of Elmer, the name to me suggests a girl but I would appreciate it if someone could verify this. Anyway I will for the purpose of this review use 'she'.
Elmer is an elephant, but no ordinary elephant...............she's not grey like the others but is a brightly coloured patchwork elephant who instantly appeals to young children who generally love vibrant colours.
Elmer was first introduced in 1989 with the book 'Elmer' , since then David McKee has written countless books in the series:
* Elmer Again
* Elmer on Stilts
* Elmer and Wilbur
* Elmer and the Wind
* Elmer and the Lost Teddy
* Elmer and the Stranger
* Elmer's Weather
* Elmer's Friends
As you can say from just a few of the titles in the series, a lot of the books deal with things that are relevant to very young children and also deal with some PSE issues, i.e strangers and being different.
~ The Story ~
In this story, Elmer is on the hunt for Bird.....
Is she behind the pink rock?
Behind the red flowers?
Behind the orange log?
Behind the purple cave? etc....
Finally Elmer finds Bird behind something quite close to home, so pleased by the game of 'hide and seek', Elmer suggests that they play it again but that this time, Elmer hides!
~ Illustrations, Style & Format ~
Bright, bold and simple, a winner for young children!
The illustrations are across a double and the very simple text of "Bird? Is that you behind the.......?" on most of the pages appeals to young children.
The simplicity of the book makes it appeal to children from approx 18 months upwards.
There are lift-the-flap opportunities on most of the pages which keeps children interested and actively participating in the story.
~ Educational Value ~
* Develops and encourages young children's colour recognition in a fun way.
* Good for emergent readers as the text is very simple with no more than 8 words on the majority of the pages.
* Great for developing fine motor skills by lifting the flaps on the pages.
~ David McKee ~
It is not just for Elmer that he is a renowned author and illustrator of children's books, some of you may have come across the following:
* Tusk Tusk
* Two Can Toucan
* Not, Now Bernard
* Isabel's Noisy Tummy
* Two Monsters
~ Price ~
My paperback copy ISBN: 0-09-941098-2 was £5.99
I've checked on amazon and you can buy the following:
Hardcover, used and new from £1.69
Pop-up version from £2.05
~ My Verdict ~
In my experience, young children respond very well to lift-the-flap books. This book has everything, vibrant colours, colour recognition, lift-the-flaps and a very lovable character...
Summary: A great book for young children.
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