5 March 2022

Elmer

Who is that at the bottom of our staircase? It can't be can it? Yes it is! It's Elmer the Elephant. 

In truth, Elmer the Elephant was the invention of British illustrator David McKee. Elmer is a patchwork elephant and the star of several children's books. He has also spawned a range of associated items - pencil cases, jigsaw puzzles, short animated films, cuddly toys, colouring pens etc..
On Thursday it was "World Book Day" at Phoebe's nursery. Though Phoebe had slept over at our house, her mama - who was down in London for two days - requested that we dress the little princess in the Elmer costume she had ordered.

And here she is, almost fourteen months old now, and may I say, as delightful as ever, even if she does look slightly ridiculous in her Elmer costume:-

42 comments:

  1. I like her Elmer costume! Very cute. I trust little Phoebe is already a lover of books?

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    1. She loves books but gets a little frustrated when we don't turn the pages quickly enough. She must be a very fast reader.

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  2. I need a costume like that although I might look more crazy and less adorable or huggable!

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    1. A costume like that would match your rainbow-coloured "V" sign Bob.

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  3. Oh no!The stairs! Phoebe looks like she always has fun and has to be a joy to be with.

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    1. The staircase is just a hill that leads you to the magical land of Upstairs.

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  4. I bet she was the star of Book Day. When my youngest son was in Kindergarten, I dressed him up as Captain Underpants, (a series written by Dave Pilkey). All he needed was a pair of his dad's underwear and a dish towel for a cape. He was a big hit at school and I'm still patting myself on the back 14 years later.

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    1. I will try to remember that creative brainwave Melinda. It's nice when outfits cost nothing!

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  5. Never heard of Elmer the elephant but I do have a line of McKee's from England in my family tree. Perhaps I'm distantly related.

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    1. In Sheffield we have a well-known artist called Pete McKee. Here's his website:-
      https://shop.petemckee.com/

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  6. My goodness! She looks so mature! Even in her Elmer costume.

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    1. For some reason that last picture is deceptive. She looks older than 14 months there.

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  7. Well, I have never heard of Elmer the rainbow elephant but your Phoebe is a star for sure! Cute photos!

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    1. Your experience of life has been impoverished if you haven't encountered Elmer before Ellen!

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  8. I've never heard of Elmer the Elephant either, but Phoebe looks very colourful and cute in her outfit.
    Glad that she likes books, but you'll have to take a few lessons in speed reading YP!

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    1. Sometimes I think she only wants to see the pictures!

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    2. Toddlers get attached to certain outfits and want to wear them ALL the time. Or never. :)

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  9. Did you wear yours too?

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  10. She looks wonderful in her costume!

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    1. I wonder if she will wear it a second time.

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  11. Oh she's such a bonny lass.

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  12. Ridiculous? Not at all! I think she looks precious. Elmer the elephant is new to me.

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    1. Maybe you will soon be hooked on Elmer books Kelly!

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  13. Cute! My granddaughter is 11 months old now and this gave me a few idea, haha. Thanks.

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    1. Yes. You can also have fun dressing your little girl up in silly costumes!

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  14. Anonymous9:45 pm

    Phoebe looks sweet in the colourful Elmer costume. Do they come in adult sizes? You could accompany her to nursery similarly dressed.

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    1. I could but I have my sober, dignified reputation to uphold.

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  15. She looks so cute! I love that outfit. I've never heard of elmer either.

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    1. Oh you must get an Elmer book for Little Jack.

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  16. Never heard of Elmer except for Elmer's glue!

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    1. But you are married to an Englishwoman! How can you have not heard of Elmer?

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  17. I have never heard of Elmer, but the costume is adorable, as is Phoebe.

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    1. Elmer has never heard of you either River!

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  18. No matter what she wears, Phoebe looks lovely! I wonder whether at her age, she can see the relation between the pictures in the book and her outfit.

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    1. There must be something going on below the surface of her babyhood.

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  19. On the contrary, I think she looks great! So colorful!

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  20. My boys loved Elmer the patchwork elephant books when they were Phoebe's age; I read recently that the colourful pachyderm is thirty-two years old now. It's so lovely to hear that the books are still going strong for a new generation, with their positive messages about embracing difference, not being afraid to play, getting to know your neighbours, making use of the natural resources around you, leading by example, it being okay to make mistakes, if something's not fashionable, it can still be fabulous, staying compassionate, being kind, looking on the bright side of life and being yourself. Francis knows what she's doing - children absorb these lovely things so easily, and Phoebe certainly looks fabulous, playful and as if she's really enjoying wearing her Elmer costume. That smile is just gorgeous.

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Mr Pudding welcomes all genuine comments - even those with which he disagrees. However, puerile or abusive comments from anonymous contributors will continue to be given the short shrift they deserve. Any spam comments that get through Google/Blogger defences will also be quickly deleted.

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