Discover all our Elmer the Patchwork Elephant trails
Elmer’s Big Art Parades are sculpture trails inspired by one of the most iconic and widely read children’s book series of all time.
Written and illustrated by celebrated children’s author and artist David McKee (1935 – 2022), Elmer the Patchwork Elephant was published by Andersen Press in 1989.
As part of the public art trails, blank Elmer sculptures are transformed by professional and emerging artists into a variety of designs that celebrate the book’s themes of inclusivity and friendship.
Elmer remains one of the most iconic and widely read children’s book series of all time, selling over 10 million copies worldwide since it was first published by Andersen Press in 1989.
Written and illustrated by celebrated children’s author and artist David McKee, the Elmer books have been translated into more than 60 languages and now new books, toys and clothing add to the world of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant.
David McKee (1935 – 2022) was born in Devon and studied at Plymouth Art College. In the early part of his career, McKee regularly drew and sold humorous drawings to magazines and newspapers such as The Times Educational Supplement, Punch and the Reader’s Digest.
David McKee wrote and illustrated over 200 picture books including a number of children’s classics including King Rollo, Mr Benn, Not Now Bernard and Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. In 2020 David was named Illustrator of the Year at the British Book Awards and was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from BookTrust.
Andersen Press is a leading independent children’s publisher, and home to some of the biggest names in the world of children’s books, including the much-loved picture book characters Elmer the Patchwork Elephant and the Little Princess. Andersen Press is the publisher of many award-winning authors and illustrators including Melvin Burgess, Rebecca Stead, Joseph Coelho, Julian Clary, Kwame Alexander, Phil Earle, David McKee, and Jeanne Willis. The company was founded in 1976 by Klaus Flugge.
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