Andersen Press is gearing up to celebrate Elmer Day on Saturday 27 May – the annual celebration of David McKee’s patchwork elephant which encourages bookshops, libraries, schools, nurseries and families at home to celebrate Elmer’s message of friendship, inclusivity and to embrace everyone’s colours.
A free activity pack has already had over 3,000 downloads, with more to come ahead of the day itself. The pack is a selection of activity sheets and ideas for games, lessons and story times featuring Elmer, with new resources from partners including Pawprint Family – a new licensee creating iron-on and pin badges, Just Like Us LGBTQ+ charity and Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) among others.
In addition, Elmer and the Gift, the 30th Elmer picture book written and illustrated by David McKee read in partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK by Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3 star Will Poulter is now live. The film has been watched more than 1,000 times, with social media activity from ARUK and Will reaching more than 180,000 accounts on Instagram.
Elmer’s Big Art Parade at Petworth House will open on Elmer Day itself at the National Trust property, with 11 Elmer sculptures designed and painted inspired by the many artists in the property’s extensive art collection. The trail will be open for 10 weeks.
Chessington World of Adventures will celebrate the Elmer’s Flying Jumbo’s ride with a special Mardi Grrra! event from 27 May, which will see Elmer and his own ‘Kolour Krewe’ take centre stage in the park with songs, dance and character meet and greets.
A major influencer campaign to 10 Instagram accounts with a combined reach of over 286,000 followers celebrating new publishing and merchandise from 2023 is also taking place, while schools, libraries, nurseries and bookshops around the country will be celebrating with special displays, events and story readings over the bank holiday weekend and into half term week.
Andersen Press will further expand on the success of 2023 with the 35th anniversary of Elmer in 2024. It will see an ever expanding Elmer Day part of a full year of activity celebrating inclusivity with Elmer.
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