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Andersen Press to publish final Elmer book by David McKee this September
Andersen Press will publish the final Elmer picture book written by David McKee this September.
Elmer and the Gift is his 30th story, and was completed before McKee’s death earlier this year. It will publish in hardback in September with a paperback to follow in 2023.
The last Elmer tale is described by the publisher as “a heart-warming depiction of family life with elderly relatives who are experiencing memory loss”. Aunt Zelda has a gift to give to Elmer from his Grandpa Eldo, but she can’t remember what it is or where it is. Zelda’s memory sometimes escapes her, and her hearing isn’t what it used to be, so they set off together to find Grandpa Eldo and solve the mystery of the forgotten gift.
Andersen Press has entered a multi-year partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK to raise money and awareness for the charity through activities around the book. A branded paperback with special reading notes and a link to online resources will be released in May 2023.
Paul Black, PR and brand director, said: “We are really excited to finally share this beautiful book, a fitting final story by the late, great David McKee. Our collaboration with Alzheimer’s Research UK will hopefully bring this book to a wide audience, whilst also opening up conversations for families experiencing the effects of dementia and Alzheimer’s themselves. There’s plenty of amazing activity coming for Elmer this year and into the future as we work toward Elmer’s 35th anniversary in 2024.”
Shirley Cramer, interim chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, added: “We are honoured and excited to be partnering with Andersen Press for Elmer and the Gift, the final book written by the wonderful David McKee. In this book, we see how Elmer supports his Aunt Zelda, who is struggling with her memory, with patience, understanding and kindness. This beautiful story will help families to sensitively talk about dementia and the effects it can have on those we love. With at least half of us knowing someone with dementia today, we know how valuable this book will be in allowing people to have those conversations.
“As well as raising much-needed awareness of our cause, this partnership will also help to fund life-changing dementia research. Thanks to the support of the late David McKee and Andersen Press, we will be able to stop all families from experiencing the heartbreak of dementia.”
More Elmer novelty publishing is planned for this year, including a shaped board book with a bedtime theme later in the autumn, and the first-ever Elmer puppet book for early 2023. More publishing is scheduled running up to 2024, when Andersen Press will celebrate Elmer’s 35th anniversary.
