Book Review - Elmer and Snake

Elmer and Snake

By: David McKee
Publisher: Andersen Press
Publication Date: September 2013
ISBN: 978-1467720335
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: November 19, 2013

Elmer the patchwork elephant was just lazing around by the little bluebirds thinking about what he was going to do that day. Two other elephants put their heads together and did some thinking themselves. Hmmmmm, exclaimed one to the other, “Elmer is thinking up a trick to play on us. Let’s play a trick on him instead.” Well, that sounded like a grand plan, but neither one of them could think up a good trick. What to do? Go see snake, that’s what to do because he probably knew all kinds of tricks. And so he did.

Snake, who was all colors of the rainbow like Elmer, knew just the trick. “Tell him he’s looking pale. Get him to lie down and rest.” Of course if Elmer heard that he was looking pale often enough, he’d begin to believe it. Would it work? Hmmmmm, they weren’t sure. They got all the other animals of the jungle to help them out, but in the meantime, Snake was up to a trick of his own. He told Elmer all about the plot. Snake would cover him up with white mud and he’d surely fool them. “They want to trick you,” exclaimed Snake, “but we’ll trick them.” Hmmmmm, who was really going to be tricked in the end?

This is a tall tale about Elmer and tricky old snake that is sure to captivate its young audience. Of course little ones may not be able to see what mischief Snake is up to, but by the time the tricky twist is revealed at the end, they’ll certainly ask for this book again. Loveable Elmer, the patchwork elephant, has a lot of young fans and every time he has a new adventure, he garners a few more. The full-page, full-color artwork is vibrant, peppy, and sure to please young Elmer buddies. Fun, engaging, and a sure-to-please tale!

Quill says: Have you ever met Elmer? If not you're going to fall in love with this very loveable patchwork elephant as soon as you meet him!