Elmer and the Big Bird Hardcover – Picture Book, August 1, 2012

My two-year-old son absolutely adores Elmer, the patchwork elephant and when we had to travel recently, I got him a bunch of the books in Kindle format to distract him on the plane ride. Elmer and the Big Bird was a good book to throw into the mix. It's one of the more complicated Elmer stories (there is a separate subseries for younger readers that focuses on basic themes like colors, counting, weather, etc.) and deals with the theme of bullying. Elmer helps the little birds come together to stop a bully that has moved into their territory and he does it in a manner that you would want your child to emulate, without violence and with confidence in himself and others.The potential downside, the bully bird can be interpreted to be the United States from the artwork. That said, unless you specifically point this out to your younger reader, it is highly unlikely such a conclusion would be reached by a child. There are enough children's books out there with messages, that I'm not going to condemn this one for something that a parent might interpret, but that would not impact a child's understanding of the positive message of the story.

My 7 year old daughter loves this book.

Elmer, the patchwork elephant, and several other jungle critters were listening to his cousin, Wilbur as he tried to play his fabulous voice tricks. He could make his voice sound like it was a long, long way off even though he was right next to them. Elmer, a tiger, a crocodile, some bunnies, a lion, and the monkeys in the trees were all listening, but there was something wrong. All the little birds were missing. What could have happened to them? They all loved to listen to Wilbur when he made "his voice come from trees a long way off." Something was wrong, very wrong.Elmer decided to go looking for them. "Yoo-hoo, birds. where are you?" All of a sudden a little blue bird came out from a cave and sat on the very tip of his trunk. It turned out that all the birdies were hiding from a BIG "nasty bully bird" who had been bothering them. Elmer said that he would talk to him, but no, it wouldn't do any good because that bully bird was just too nasty. He went to see the bully bird to talk to him and ask him not to scare the little ones, but he squawked, "Frighten them? They'll do as I say, or I'll do more than frighten them!" Elmer had an idea, but he needed everyone's help. Would they be able to stop that nasty bully bird or would he keep on bullying the little birds?Elmer the patchwork elephant has a way of dealing with a bully bird that will delight the reader. Of course Elmer has turned into a classic and classy elephant that children around the world have fallen in love with. He is utterly charming and gentle, something that everyone adores, including the critters around him. Elmer does look a bit different than all the other elephants, but that makes him all the more special. He's very aware that this bully bird has been hurting the others and sends a message to children that bullying is simply not acceptable. The artwork is bright and bold and Elmer's crazy quilt look is especially appealing. If you have not yet made the acquaintance of Elmer, it's about time you did!This book courtesy of the publisher.

I was shocked at what I found when reading this book to my daughter, and I think buyers should be fully aware of what they're getting. As another reviewer here notes, the book's "bad guy" is an eagle-like bird painted like an American flag, who bullies all the smaller birds into submission. While there are appropriate places for people to bash countries they don't like, a book for pre-schoolers is very definitely not one of them. Small children can't evaluate policies and make rational judgments about them; this is just an attempt to teach them to hate the U.S.And, setting that aside, the writing and storytelling are amazingly stilted and awkward for a children's book. This book much more closely resembles efforts I have read from amateurs than the work of an experienced children's book writer. While I've read an older Elmer book to my daughter and found it fine (though a bit cloying), the author has clearly lost it.

As a teacher of young children, I have several of the earlier written Elmer books by David McKee and find them colorful and fun. However, this latest book "Elmer and the Big Bird" has a slant against America. The "Big Bully" bird is painted in the symbolic patriotic colors and resembles the American flag and eagle. At one point in the story, the bully bird says "It's Uncle's birthday, I must go." Interesting that the word uncle is capitalized as Uncle, and may even mean "Uncle(Sam)." The "bully bird" is overpowered and called "Coward!" by small birds all flying close together. I am an American citizen and find reason to be disturbed over this book.

A family favourite

Lovely and enchanting story book my grandson enjoys not only the pictures but the story thoroughly recommend purchasing this and the other Elmer Books

A firm family favourite in which the bully received his comeuppance. You may wish to start with some of the earlier Elmer books first.

the word "love" is misspelled as "ove" on the first page containing text.

great read for kids