Elmer

Elmer is a patchwork elephant.

He lives surrounded by other elephants of elephant color. He realizes that he looks different, and decides to change. The day he changes his color to become more like the others, is the day he learns that he is special because of who he is within himself and within the herd.

David McKee wrote Elmer, and a series of Elmer books based on his own experiences of race, inequality, and bias. The following is a link to more about McKee and Elmer

I am a Caucasian female. I've experienced prejudice based on the color of my skin, I've been in the minority, I've been judged base on my gender or my appearance. My experience is unique to me, and I don't begin to say that I understand racism or gender discrimination in the way that others do. But I do understand that value of difference, the beauty of the inner person, and the need for the unique.

As a mother and a child advocate, I love this book and it's message. When I read this to my son, he begins to understand acceptance and appreciation for all, despite and in spite of differences. It becomes the starting point for a conversation on racial, cultural, religious, and gender differences. And it makes us smile when Elmer says BOO!