If you loved
Books like Elmer
A vibrant, joyful celebration of standing out in a crowd and learning to love your own true colors. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Elmer.
- joyful
- colorful
- lighthearted
- welcoming
- 01
Oliver
HOFF SYD · 1961
A gentle, mildly absurd journey of an earnest outsider looking for a place to belong.
- 02
Horton Hatches the Egg
Dr. Seuss · 1940
A bouncy, rhyming testament to the quiet power of keeping your promises, no matter how absurd the circumstances.
- 03
But no elephants
Jerry Smath
A cozy, giggle-inducing read-aloud about the hilarious consequences of breaking your own rules.
- 04
The Elephant and the Bad Baby
Elfrida Vipont
A rhythmic, rumpeting read-aloud adventure that turns a chaotic chase into a cozy lesson in manners.
- 05
Uncle Elephant
Lobel · 1982
A gentle, quietly profound embrace of a story that wraps big, scary feelings in the warm, eccentric comfort of family.
- 06
Seventeen kings and forty two elephants
Margaret Mahy
A joyous, tongue-twisting romp through a magical jungle night, driven by an irresistible, bouncing rhythm.
- 07
Put me in the zoo
Robert Lopshire · 1960
A bouncy, colorful romp about finding the perfect place to show off your unique talents.
- 08
Donkey-donkey
Roger Duvoisin
A gentle, pastoral tale of a little farm animal learning to love the very things that make him unique.
- 09
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Crockett Johnson · 1981
A quiet, magical stroll through the limitless landscape of a child's imagination, drawn one line at a time.
- 10
I am going!
Mo Willems
A hilarious, high-stakes emotional rollercoaster about the sheer panic of a best friend leaving the room.
- 11
Pigs Make Me Sneeze! (An Elephant and Piggie Book)
Mo Willems
A hilarious, high-drama exploration of friendship anxiety wrapped in a fast-paced, dialogue-driven comedy.
- 12
A bad case of stripes
David Shannon
A surreal, vibrant fable about the bizarre and escalating consequences of hiding who you truly are.
