Elmer is 35 & Elmer Day is a day to celebrate the importance of friendship, kindness and inclusivity, themes that run through all 30 of the Elmer picture books created by David McKee. Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, remains one of the most iconic children’s book characters. The first Elmer book was published in 1989 by Andersen Press. Since then, Elmer books have been translated into more than 50 languages and enjoyed by young children around the world.