Hello, friends! Today, we’re going to have a fun story time. We’re going to read a special book called “Elmer” by David McKee. Are you ready? Let’s begin!
Once upon a time, there was a group of elephants. Some were young, some were old, some were tall, and some were short. They were all different, but they were all the same color—except for one elephant named Elmer.
Elmer was not like the other elephants. He was a patchwork elephant, which means he had lots of colors! Elmer was yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, blue, green, black, and white. He was very colorful!
Elmer was a happy elephant who loved to make others smile. But one day, he felt a little sad because he was different. He thought, “I wish I looked like the other elephants.”
So, early one morning, Elmer quietly left the herd. He walked through the jungle and met other animals who said, “Good morning, Elmer!” Elmer smiled and said, “Good morning!” back.
Elmer found a bush with berries that were the same color as the other elephants. He shook the bush, and the berries fell to the ground. Elmer rolled in the berries until he was all covered in berry juice. Now, Elmer looked just like the other elephants!
Elmer went back to his friends. The other elephants didn’t recognize him. They were all standing quietly, and Elmer thought it was funny. He wanted to laugh!
Finally, Elmer couldn’t hold it in any longer. He shouted, “Boo!” The elephants jumped in surprise and then started to laugh. As they laughed, it began to rain, and the rain washed away the berry juice. Elmer’s beautiful colors came back!
The elephants laughed and said, “Elmer, you always make us happy! We should celebrate this day every year.” So, every year, the elephants decorate themselves in bright colors to celebrate Elmer’s Day.
And that’s the story of Elmer, the colorful elephant who taught everyone to be happy and proud of who they are!
Isn’t Elmer’s story fun? Maybe you can celebrate Elmer’s Day too by drawing a colorful elephant or dressing up in bright colors. Remember, being different is what makes us special!
Thanks for joining our story time. See you next time for another fun adventure!
Create Your Own Patchwork Elephant: Gather some colored paper, scissors, and glue. Cut out different shapes from the colored paper and use them to create your own patchwork elephant on a blank sheet of paper. Think about what colors make you happy and why. Share your colorful elephant with your friends and talk about how each one is unique and special, just like Elmer!
Colorful Nature Walk: Go on a nature walk with your family or friends and look for different colors in nature. Can you find something yellow, red, or blue? Make a list or draw pictures of the colorful things you see. Talk about how nature is full of different colors and how each one is beautiful in its own way, just like Elmer’s colors.
Elmer’s Feelings Game: Think about how Elmer felt at different parts of the story. Was he happy, sad, or surprised? Use your face and body to show these feelings. Then, talk with a friend or family member about a time you felt the same way. What made you feel better? This will help you understand how Elmer felt and how we can all help each other feel happy and proud of who we are.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hey, I’m Ranma God, and I’m Craig Toby. Welcome to Story Time with Ryan! Remember, if you like what you see, follow us on Instagram or visit our website, rightgreat.com. You can watch all our read-alouds there or send us a message.
Craig, I have a message! I want to give a shout-out to Miss Best. She has a reading show too, and she sent us today’s book. Yes, and we’re super excited to read it because today’s book is “Elmer” by David McKee. Let’s get started!
**Elmer by David McKee**
There was once a herd of elephants—young elephants, old elephants, tall or fat or thin elephants—all different but all happy and all the same color. All that is, except Elmer. Elmer was different. Elmer was patchwork. Elmer was yellow and orange and red and pink and purple and blue and green and black and white. Elmer was not elephant color.
Oh my gosh, that’s so cool! I love all those colors. I wish I had an elephant that had a bunch of colors like that.
I know! My elephant doesn’t have any of those colors—just gray.
You have an elephant?
Yeah, his name is Herbert, and he likes bananas.
You keep an elephant in your room? I want to see it right now!
Oh, he’s tired. We can’t see him right now.
Okay, I can’t believe you have an elephant!
Yeah, it was Elmer who kept the elephants happy. Sometimes he joked with the other elephants, and sometimes they joked with him. But if there was even a little smile, it was usually Elmer who started it.
One night, Elmer couldn’t sleep for thinking, and the thing that he was thinking was that he was tired of being different. Who ever heard of the patchwork elephant? He thought, no wonder they laugh at me.
In the morning, before the others were really awake, Elmer slipped quietly away unnoticed.
I know the feeling! Herbert’s always slipping away.
Really? Can I see him? Please, can I see him?
Okay, close your eyes.
Okay, clap three times, then open your eyes.
Oh, you must have missed him when your eyes were closed.
Why did you tell me to close my eyes then?
That’s usually when he comes out because he’s scared of people with open eyes.
Man, I want to see this elephant!
Maybe as he walked through the jungle, Elmer met other animals. They always said good morning each time Elmer smiled and said good morning back. After a long walk, Elmer found what he was looking for: a large bush covered with elephant-colored berries. Elmer caught hold of the bush and shook it so that the berries fell on the ground. Once the ground was covered in berries, Elmer laid down and rolled over and over, covering himself with berry juice until there wasn’t a sign of any of his colors.
When he had finished, Elmer looked like any other elephant.
Oh no! He covered up his cool patchwork!
Yeah, now he just looks like a regular elephant. I hope I don’t get confused with Herbert.
Where’s this elephant? Show him to me now!
Okay, look behind you.
Oh, look again! There he is!
Oh, you missed him!
What? I’ll call him Herbert.
Herbert the Hinkle!
Oh, there he is! Oh wait, turn around!
No, no, there he goes!
What? Turn around!
After that, Elmer set off back to the herd. On the way, he passed the other animals again. This time, each one said to him, “Good morning, elephant,” and each time, Elmer smiled and said good morning, pleased that he wasn’t recognized.
When Elmer rejoined the other elephants, they were all standing quietly. None of them noticed Elmer as he worked his way to the middle of the herd. After a while, Elmer felt that something was wrong. He looked around—same old jungle, same old bright sky, same old rain cloud that came over from time to time, and lastly, same old elephants.
Elmer looked at them. The elephants were standing absolutely still. Elmer had never seen them so serious before. The more he looked at the serious, silent, still-standing elephants, the more he wanted to laugh. Finally, he could bear it no longer. He lifted his trunk and shouted, “Herbert!”
Why would he be shouting Herbert?
You can’t yell at him. You have to say it nicely.
That’s too quiet! He’s not going to come out!
And at the top of his voice, he shouted. The elephants jumped in surprise.
Oh wow! They said, and then saw Elmer, hopeless with laughter.
Elmer, they said, must be Elmer then! The other elephants laughed too, as they had never laughed before. As they laughed, the rain cloud burst, and when the rain fell on Elmer, his patchwork started to show again. The elephants still laughed as Elmer was washed back to normal.
“Oh, Elmer!” gasped an old elephant. “You’ve played some good jokes, but this has been the biggest laugh of all! It didn’t take you long to show your true colors. We must celebrate this day every year,” said another. “This will be Elmer’s day! All elephants must decorate themselves.”
And that is exactly what the elephants do on one day a year. They decorate themselves and parade. If you happen to see an elephant of ordinary elephant color, you will know it must be Elmer.
Wow! Hey Ryan, do you decorate Herbert on this elephant holiday?
I don’t want you to get upset, but I have something to tell you. It’s sort of a surprise. I don’t have an elephant named Herbert. I don’t have an elephant at all. I live in an apartment.
I hope you’re not mad!
This is your best joke!
Yeah, Ryan! Herbert would love this!
Herbert! You’re yelling! Try quieter!
Herbert! See? Quieter!
Louder!
Herbert! Too loud! Try in the middle!
Herbert! Way too much! In the middle!
**Elmer by David McKee**
[Music]
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This version removes any inappropriate or confusing elements while maintaining the essence of the original transcript.
