Andersen Press readies for a bumper Elmer Day celebration

Elmer Day is back on 28 May with a return to in-person and bookshop events around the country, a herd of new and exciting partnerships, and a new paperback edition of the latest Elmer picture book, Elmer and the Bedtime Story, by the late, great David McKee. Rounding off the celebrations is the first Elmer title available on Yoto, the interactive kids’ audio platform.

Elmer Day is Andersen Press‘s annual celebration of David McKee’s iconic patchwork elephant, encouraging bookshops, libraries, schools, nurseries and families at home to celebrate Elmer’s message of friendship, inclusivity and embracing everyone’s colours.

A free activity pack, which has already had over 1,500 downloads in the run-up to the day itself, is available here. The pack is a selection of activity sheets and ideas for games, lessons and story times featuring Elmer, with new resources from charity partners The Sleep Charity, with sleep hints and tips based on the latest Elmer book Elmer and the Bedtime Story, activities from LGBT+ charity Just Like Us extending Elmer Pride activity from 2021, and resources from anti-bullying charity partner Kidscape.

In-person events are also back following their temporary suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Elmer costume appearances and story times in Waterstones stores in Kensington, Altrincham, Manchester Deansgate and the Arndale Centre.

Chessington World of Adventures will celebrate Elmer’s Flying Jumbos ride with its special Mardi Grrra! event from 27 May, which will see Elmer and his own ‘Kolour Krewe’ take centre stage in the park with songs, dance and character meet-and-greets. For more information on the event, click here.

In the licensing space, kids’ audio platform Yoto has launched its first-ever Elmer title. The Elmer Collection will be made available for use with the award-winning Yoto Player and new Yoto Mini.

In addition, Dennicci has launched new babywear ranges with Matalan and Tu at Sainsbury’s, and Robert Frederick has launched Elmer storage boxes with The Works. Plush and toy licensee Rainbow Designs and greetings card licensee Danilo are hosting social media competitions.

Elmer Day is on 28 May 2022. To download a FREE activity pack, click on the link here: https://www.elmer.co.uk/elmer-day/

Elmer the Patchwork Elephant welcomes Danilo and Robert Frederick to the licensing roster

Elmer the Patchwork Elephant has welcomed two new licensing partners to its growing roster, as the popular publishing property now makes its way into the calendars and greetings, and gifts and stationery sectors.

A duo of deals brokered by Metrostar, Danilo has joined the line-up to publish calendars, greetings cards, gift wrap and bags, while Robert Frederick will create gifts, arts and crafts, and stationery.

Existing licensees are also busy working on new Elmer products. Amscan has renewed its dress up licence and Rainbow Designs will be adding new lines to its Elmer portfolio. Paul Dennicci has also developed the first Elmer babywear collection for Primark.

New products from all will be launched in 2021.

Claire Potter, Metrostar’s managing director, said: “Elmer is proving to be a very reliable performer in a number of product categories across an increasingly large retail base. Metrostar started working on Elmer in 2016 and in every year since he has gained new licensees and added new retailers to the programme.

“As well as the addition of Danilo and Robert Frederick, in 2021 we will see new Elmer products in Primark, Sainsbury’s, Matalan, John Lewis and Waterstones.”

Paul Black, Andresen Press brand director, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Danilo and Robert Frederick to our licensing programme.

“Both are perfect partners for Elmer and we look forward to working with them to develop and promote new products. We would also like to thank our family of Elmer licensees for working so hard this year. We know how challenging it has been and really appreciate their continued support and enthusiasm for Elmer.”

Elmer the Patchwork Elephant welcomes Danilo and Robert Frederick to the licensing roster

Elmer the Patchwork Elephant has welcomed two new licensing partners to its growing roster, as the popular publishing property now makes its way into the calendars and greetings, and gifts and stationery sectors.

A duo of deals brokered by Metrostar, Danilo has joined the line-up to publish calendars, greetings cards, gift wrap and bags, while Robert Frederick will create gifts, arts and crafts, and stationery.

Existing licensees are also busy working on new Elmer products. Amscan has renewed its dress up licence and Rainbow Designs will be adding new lines to its Elmer portfolio. Paul Dennicci has also developed the first Elmer babywear collection for Primark.

New products from all will be launched in 2021.

Claire Potter, Metrostar’s managing director, said: “Elmer is proving to be a very reliable performer in a number of product categories across an increasingly large retail base. Metrostar started working on Elmer in 2016 and in every year since he has gained new licensees and added new retailers to the programme.

“As well as the addition of Danilo and Robert Frederick, in 2021 we will see new Elmer products in Primark, Sainsbury’s, Matalan, John Lewis and Waterstones.”

Paul Black, Andresen Press brand director, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Danilo and Robert Frederick to our licensing programme.

“Both are perfect partners for Elmer and we look forward to working with them to develop and promote new products. We would also like to thank our family of Elmer licensees for working so hard this year. We know how challenging it has been and really appreciate their continued support and enthusiasm for Elmer.”