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McKee, David
23 Reviews
(4)
K-3
Patchwork elephant Elmer and his cousin Wilbur visit their elderly aunt Zelda. That Zelda is losing her hearing opens the door for some cheap humor ("'I knew you'd be there.' 'Saw a bear, dear?' said Aunt Zelda. 'How interesting'"). Still, McKee's long-running picture-book series attracts readers with its cheery art in the signature rainbow palette.
Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen
(4)
K-3
When patchwork elephant Elmer hears "a catchy tune" from his friend Rose, it gets stuck in his head. He strolls through the jungle humming the tune...and soon all the animals are stuck singing the melody and look to Elmer for a solution. The one-note premise wears thin, but, as with most Elmer books, the vibrant, rainbow-colored art provides the familiar appeal.
Reviewer: Russell Perry
(4)
K-3
As endearing patchwork elephant Elmer and his grandfather reminisce during a visit, it appears Grandpa Eldo remembers more than he lets on. Elmer and cousin Wilbur organize a race, but it's not just the fastest young elephant who receives a medal. A tame story of intergenerational connection (Grandpa) and an uneven story about sportsmanship (Race) are both carried by McKee's signature vibrant illustrations. Review covers these titles: Elmer and Grandpa Eldo and Elmer and the Race.
Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen
(4)
K-3
As endearing patchwork elephant Elmer and his grandfather reminisce during a visit, it appears Grandpa Eldo remembers more than he lets on. Elmer and cousin Wilbur organize a race, but it's not just the fastest young elephant who receives a medal. A tame story of intergenerational connection (Grandpa) and an uneven story about sportsmanship (Race) are both carried by McKee's signature vibrant illustrations. Review covers these titles: Elmer and Grandpa Eldo and Elmer and the Race.
Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen
(4)
K-3
On a solo walk in the rain, the patchwork elephant discovers that a flood has stranded an elephant named Young on an isolated patch of land. Unfazed, Elmer comes up with a plan, saves Young, and finally gets his peace and quiet. Other than the final twist, little in the tame story is surprising. McKee's signature rainbow-palette jungle scenes deliver their expected cheer.
Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen
(4)
K-3
Patchwork elephant Elmer and his jungle-animal friends star in two tepid stories. In Butterfly, Elmer comes to Butterfly's rescue but doubts the small insect's ability to return the favor. In Monster, as all the animals run away from a scary sound, Elmer calmly walks toward it, eventually finding a very scared little monster. McKee's bright illustrations will attract readers. Review covers these titles: Elmer and Butterfly and Elmer and the Monster.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
(4)
K-3
Patchwork elephant Elmer and his jungle-animal friends star in two tepid stories. In Butterfly, Elmer comes to Butterfly's rescue but doubts the small insect's ability to return the favor. In Monster, as all the animals run away from a scary sound, Elmer calmly walks toward it, eventually finding a very scared little monster. McKee's bright illustrations will attract readers. Review covers these titles: Elmer and Butterfly and Elmer and the Monster.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
(4)
PS
Though the other elephants love his jokes and games, Elmer the patchwork elephant wonders if the herd is laughing at him because he looks different. He tries blending in but can't disguise what's special about him. The message about accepting yourself and celebrating differences won't interest babies; older toddlers, however, will welcome this first board-book edition of Elmer into their herd.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
(4)
K-3
Elmer and his cousin decide to travel to the sea after their grandfather tells them about seeing whales "when I was your age." The elephants set out on a raft down the river, hit some rapids, then make it to the sea where they're greeted by--what else? While the plot lacks real surprises, McKee's signature rainbow-hued gouache and colored-pencil illustrations are dazzling.
Reviewer: Kari Allen
(4)
K-3
While stomping to celebrate the patriarch's one-hundredth birthday, a herd of pink elephants accidentally strands Old on a pillar of rock. Super El, Elmer's superhero friend, zooms to the rescue in the nick of time. The rich gouache pink elephants and familiar patchwork Elmer are cheery as always, but Elmer's fans may be disappointed with his tiny role in the slight story.
Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan
(4)
K-3
Wanting to trick their pal, two elephants consult Snake, who hatches a plan to make Elmer believe he's ill. Meanwhile, Snake gives Elmer instructions to trick them back: dull his bright patchwork with mud to look pale. Of course, crafty Snake gets the last laugh. The story's ending (a group tickle fest) is cutesy, but, as always, McKee's colorful illustrations are cheering.
Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan
(4)
K-3
Super El's costume tore on a thornbush, so Elmer the patchwork elephant helps him reach Aunt Zelda, who can mend the costume. But to get there, Elmer must devise ways to sneak Super El past all the other animals so they won't laugh at him. The bright gouache illustrations accentuate this cheerful story about friendship and helpfulness that is light on real tension but nicely paced.
Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter
(3)
K-3
Going along with Elmer the elephant's crafty plan to outwit a mean bird bully, all the small birds fly in formation, making the shape of a gigantic bird. The other animals pretend to be afraid of it, and--satisfyingly--the frightened bully flies away. McKee's illustrations, featuring the bold patchwork elephant and a bright fanciful forest, are attractive and easy on the eye.
Reviewer: Martha Sibert
(4)
K-3
This book, originally published in England in 1972, features the heavy-handed story of six men looking for a peaceful place to live. Prosperity leads to fear, which leads to war. The allegory ends as the men leave in search of a new peaceful place. Stark black-and-white art suits McKee's equally stark view of humanity.
Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth
(4)
K-3
Elmer the patchwork elephant sets out to help a rainbow find its colors. The other animals are afraid that Elmer will lose his own, but of course selflessness wins the day. There's not a lot of tension to the story, but the pacing--and the lively rainbow-hued illustrations--will likely keep readers' attention.
Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff
(2)
K-3
After a day of Christmas preparation, patchwork elephant Elmer and seven young elephants spy on Papa Red (complete with Santa hat and whiskers). While watching him gather gifts from under their tree, Elmer explains, "this is the season for giving." McKee's story sends a friendly reminder about the importance of generosity during the holidays. Playful, vividly colored illustrations complement the cheery tone.
Reviewer: Kazia Berkley-Cramer
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2011
(4)
K-3
The elephants get upset when hippos move into their river. Patchwork elephant Elmer, put in charge of finding out why the hippos' river has dried up, enlists both hippos and elephants to help remove a pile of rocks blocking the water. McKee's story, while a little heavy with its compromise-and-teamwork message, still manages to entertain with vivid, lively illustrations.
Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter
(4)
K-3
Patchwork elephant Elmer and his checkerboard cousin Wilbur escort Rose, a young pink elephant, back to her herd. Initially surprised by Rose's remark about a "strange gray" elephant they encounter, Elmer and Wilbur realize, after seeing her all-pink herd, that "different" isn't the same to everyone. The story lacks action, but the vibrant illustrations will please Elmer's fans.
Reviewer: Susan Halperin
(4)
K-3
Colorful patchwork elephant Elmer learns an important lesson in neighborhood relations when the jungle animals complain that the elephants are making too much noise as they prepare for Elmer Day. Elmer solves this problem by inviting everyone to take part in the festivities. The illustrations are vibrant, but the lesson about inclusion is heavy-handed.
Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth
(2)
PS
McKee's cheery drawings depict a bloodless, toy-soldier world, but his message is explicit: "The General" attacks other countries "for their own good... So they can be like us." The military dictator is invincible until he invades a small, bucolic country whose people welcome the soldiers and conquer them with kindness. The simple presentation of this serious theme makes a fine conversation opener.
Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2005
23 reviews
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