Elmer the patchwork elephant has been a nursery favourite since the first book was published in 1989.

The editions look incredible. Stunning colours and a level of detail that captures the texture and vibrancy of each brush stroke. David is known for the creating the wonderful Mr Benn, but he started as a book creator in 1964 and now his books are published throughout the world. He's just one of the loveliest people we know and that comes across in his stories that are read and loved in over 40 languages around the world.

We love David McKee here at Art You Grew Up With. He hand signs each of our prints featuring the iconic Mr Benn, and now Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. Over the years he has joined us in the gallery to meet with fans and collectors. Read more about this wonderful event here.

David McKee (born 1935) is a British author and illustrator, chiefly of children's books and animations.

One of McKee’s most loved characters, Mr Benn was the subject of his first film series, produced by the BBC. As well as the film series, McKee created a book series featuring Mr Benn. Other characters created by McKee include Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, Two Can Toucan, and King Rollo.

McKee currently resides in both London and the South of France.

 Andersen Press, founded in 1976, publishes some of the most well known and best loved names in the world of children's books. These include David McKee, the creator of Elmer the patchwork elephant; Tony Ross, who has given us the Little Princess; Ruth Brown, whose books include classics such as A Dark Dark Tale and The Big Sneeze; Michael Foreman, creator of Jack's Fantastic Voyage and One World; Max Velthuijs whose Frog series has sold in 25 languages; and Colin McNaughton, whose Preston Pig series are among Andersen's bestselling titles worldwide.

Andersen Press titles such as Not Now, Bernard and Badger’s Parting Gifts are now regarded as modern classics and many fit perfectly into the requirements of the Literacy Hour, with retellings of traditional tales, books with rhyming or repetitive texts

Andersen is also well known for its fiction list, which includes award-winning authors such as Melvin Burgess. When Andersen published his novel Junk it caused a media stir, winning the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize as well as being shortlisted for the Whitbread Children’s Book Award. Our fiction authors include Hazel Townson, Sandra Glover, Julia Jarman, Henning Mankell, Rebecca Lisle and Rosie Rushton.