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Andersen Press to celebrate 35 years publishing McKee's Elmer
Andersen Press will celebrate the 35th anniversary of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, the beloved character from David McKee’s children’s books, with a slew of events, books and new partnerships in 2024.
An Elmer World Book Day book, Elmer and the Patchwork Story, created in partnership with McKee before his death, will be released next year. Elmer Day, the publisher’s annual celebration of the brand, will follow on 25th May with a free activity pack to encourage libraries, bookshops, schools and nurseries and those at home to hold their own Elmer celebration.
In May half-term 2024, The Story Museum will launch an Elmer installation in its "Small Worlds" space and an Elmer-related programme of activity for the duration of the half-term. A "major" Elmer sculpture trail will be set up in Blackpool from April 2024 with over 30 Elmer sculptures being auctioned in aid of Brian House Hospice for children. There will also be a mini-trail around Eastbourne from February 2024. "The Elmer Adventure", a new theatre show, will also premiere next year.
New titles will join the Elmer range including My First Elmer Birthday, the fifth in the shaped book board range publishing on 2nd May 2024, and Elmer Search and Find Animals due for release on 5th September 2024. Andersen Press will also issue an Elmer book and mini plush in September 2024 for the first time in years.
The brand’s partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK will continue with support at the London Landmarks Half Marathon.
Further charity partnerships are planned with Living Streets, aiming to encourage families to walk to school, and Kidscape.
Charlie Sheppard, publishing director, commented: "It is our duty and honour at Andersen Press to celebrate David McKee’s incredible legacy, and to make sure children in every generation know and love Elmer. The messages of friendship, inclusivity and celebration, which are at the heart of Elmer, will be brought to the fore through the incredible year of activity we have planned. As we celebrate 35 years of publishing, we look forward to the future and growth of this special brand."
