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David McKee

David McKee’s first book was published in 1964. His books are now published in many languages throughout the world, and many of them have been adapted for television. He is one of the leading contemporary children's book creators.

David McKee was born and brought up in South Devon, where he went from grammar school to Plymouth Art College. Whilst still at college he started selling one-off cartoons to newspapers and on graduation, he began to contribute to such publications as Punch, Times Education Supplement and the Reader's Digest. His first book, Two Can Toucan was published in 1964 and since then he has written and illustrated numerous children's books. As well as his own books, which include the popular best-selling Elmer series, David illustrates for a number of other writers including Michael Bond's Paddington Bear and Forrest Wilson's SuperGran books.

Featured Books, with extracts illustrated by David McKee


The King of Quizzical Island Digs Through the World
The King of Quizzical Island Digs Through the World
Gordon Snell
Age 3+. This is one of the loveliest picture books that's been published in 2011 to share with your toddler.  In the extraordinary adventures of the King of Quizzical Island, the King decides he must prove to his citizens that...
Featured in: 3+ readers | Poetry
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/06/2012
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The King of Quizzical Island Digs Through the World
The King of Quizzical Island Digs Through the World
Gordon Snell
Age 3+. This is one of the loveliest picture books that's been published in 2011 to share with your toddler.  In the extraordinary adventures of the King of Quizzical Island, the King decides he must prove to his citizens that...
Featured in: 3+ readers | 5+ readers
Format: Hardback - Released: 04/08/2011
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Books illustrated by David McKee

Melric the Magician Who Lost His Magic
Melric the Magician Who Lost His Magic
David McKee
When Melric, the king's magician, mysteriously loses his magic, he sets out on a quest to return it. But with the kingdom under attack, will Melric get his magic back in time to protect it?
Format: Paperback - Released: 04/04/2013
Price: £5.24 - Saving 1.75 (25%)
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Elmer and the Big Bird
Elmer 32: Elmer and the Big Bird
David McKee
One day, Elmer notices that there are no birds around. How strange! Soon he finds them hiding from the nasty bully bird in a nearby cave. The bully bird is mean and likes to frighten the little birds. Led by...
Format: Paperback - Released: 04/04/2013
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and Snake
Elmer 12: Elmer and Snake
David McKee
The elephants decide to play a trick on Elmer. Snake suggests pretending to Elmer that he looks pale and ill, to see if they can make him believe that he really is unwell. However at the same time, Snake also...
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/02/2013
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and Aunt Zelda
Elmer 28: Elmer and Aunt Zelda
David McKee
Elmer and Wilbur visit their Aunt Zelda. She may be getting old and deaf, but she is fun and has lots of interesting things to show the two young elephants.
Format: Paperback - Released: 03/01/2013
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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The Tickle Ghost
The Tickle Ghost
Brett McKee
The Tickle Ghost is somewhere near. Can you see him? Can you hear? He is slowly creeping up the stairs. He'll try to catch me unawares. But who is the Tickle Ghost? And is he real, or are Dad and...
Format: Paperback - Released: 03/01/2013
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Not Now, Bernard
Not Now, Bernard
David McKee
Bernard's parents are so busy doing their own thing, that the monster can eat Bernard's dinner, break his toys, and even eat Bernard, without being noticed.
Format: Paperback - Released: 04/10/2012
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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George's Invisible Watch
George's Invisible Watch
David McKee, Brett McKee
George always knows the time. He has an invisible watch. At first nobody believes him, but before long, everyone depends on him. Then a catastrophe strikes, and nobody rings the bell for afternoon school. Surely George will realise the time?...
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/08/2012
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and Super El
Elmer 35: Elmer and Super El
David McKee
One morning, Elmer hears an Oh no! Looking round, he spots Super El who's in need of Elmer's help. He must get to Aunt Zelda without any of the other animals seeing him and, as usual, it's up to Elmer...
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/07/2012
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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The King of Quizzical Island Digs Through the World
The King of Quizzical Island Digs Through the World
Gordon Snell
The resolute King of Quizzical Island begins to dig a tunnel so deep that it will take him to the other side of the world. His quest leads him right down into the heart of the earth where he encounters...
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/06/2012
Price: £5.24 - Saving 1.75 (25%)
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Denver
Denver
David McKee
Denver is rich - very, very rich. Everyone in the village loves him for his kindness and generosity. But one day a stranger arrives, who breeds discontent by telling the villagers it isn't fair for Denver to have so much...
Format: Paperback - Released: 03/05/2012
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and Butterfly
Elmer 19: Elmer and Butterfly
David McKee
One day, as Elmer is strolling through the jungle, he hears a cry for help. A butterfly has been trapped in a hole by a fallen branch. Elmer rushes to the rescue and frees her with ease. In return she...
Format: Paperback - Released: 03/05/2012
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and Papa Red
Elmer 34: Elmer and Papa Red
David McKee
It's two days before the annual visit of Papa Red and the young elephants are very excited. They choose a tree to decorate and prepare the presents for Papa Red to collect during the night to take to those who...
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/10/2011
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and the Hippos
Elmer 21: Elmer and the Hippos
David McKee
The elephants are not happy - the hippos have come to share the river because theirs has dried up. When they complain to Elmer that the river is over-crowded, everyone's favourite patchwork elephant sets off to see if he can...
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/07/2011
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Six Men
Six Men
David McKee

Format: Paperback - Released: 26/06/2011
Price: £4.79 - Saving 1.20 (20%)
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Hill and The Rock
Hill and The Rock
David McKee
Mr and Mrs Quest lived in a little house on the very top of a hill. People from all around came to visit and the view would have been perfect but for the rock that blocked it. Fed up with...
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/06/2011
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer's Special Day
Elmer 33: Elmer's Special Day
David McKee
It's almost Elmer's Day again and the elephants have begun their preparations. But in all the excitement they are making an awful lot of noise and upsetting the other animals. Elmer changes the rules, and invites every single animal to...
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/05/2011
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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The King of Quizzical Island
The King of Quizzical Island
Gordon Snell
When the King of Quizzical Island decides to visit the edge of the world, nothing and no one will stand in his way. What will he find? What adventures await? And won't he fall off the edge?
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/09/2010
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer Again
Elmer 2: Elmer Again
David McKee
It's coming up to Elmer's Day, the day when all grey elephants paint themselves in bright colours. For Elmer, the patchwork elephant with the mischievous sense of fun, life seems far too quiet. So he thinks up a marvellous joke...
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/09/2010
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and Grandpa Eldo
Elmer 18: Elmer and Grandpa Eldo
David McKee
Elmer is on his way to visit his Grandpa Eldo. He has great fun reminding Eldo of all the things they used to do together, but is Eldo quite as forgetful as Elmer thinks? He may be old but he...
Format: Paperback - Released: 08/07/2010
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and Wilbur
Elmer 8: Elmer and Wilbur
David McKee
Elmer loves practical jokes, but so does his cousin Wilbur. Until, that is, Elmer has an idea which brings Wilbur back down to earth, in more ways than one...
Format: Paperback - Released: 04/03/2010
Price: £5.24 - Saving 1.75 (25%)
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Elmer on Stilts
Elmer 3: Elmer on Stilts
David McKee
The hunters are coming and all the elephants are worried. Elmer, the patchwork elephant, comes up with a plan to outwit the hunters but things don't turn out quite as planned.
Format: Paperback - Released: 04/02/2010
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and the Rainbow
Elmer 31: Elmer and the Rainbow
David McKee
Elmer and the other elephants are waiting for the storm to end so they can see the beautiful, colourful rainbow. But something dreadful has happened: the rainbow has lost its colours! Elmer decides to give his own colours to the...
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/10/2009
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and the Wind
Elmer 13: Elmer and the Wind
David McKee
Aided and abetted by his ventriloquist cousin, Wilbur, Elmer pretends to be blown away on the windiest day. They make fools of the other elephants, but when the laughter dies down, Elmer reassures them that a heavy elephant is safe...
Format: Paperback - Released: 03/09/2009
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and Wilbur
Elmer 8: Elmer and Wilbur
David McKee
Elmer loves practical jokes, but so does his cousin Wilbur. Until, that is, Elmer has an idea which brings Wilbur back down to earth, in more ways than one.
Format: Paperback - Released: 04/06/2009
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Zebra's Hiccups
Zebra's Hiccups
David McKee
Zebra is proud and Zebra is haughty. One day he gets the hiccups, but he is afraid to try the remedies suggested by his friends in case he looks silly. But when the hiccups get much worse, he realises he...
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/03/2009
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and the Stranger
Elmer 16: Elmer and the Stranger
David McKee
Is there a difference between a bounce and a jump? Kangaroo thinks there is, and he is very concerned he is going to look silly in the upcoming jumping competition, until Elmer helps him discover that the one will do...
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/02/2009
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Two Monsters
Two Monsters
David McKee
Two monsters live on either side of a mountain. Sometimes they talk through the hole in the mountain, but they never see each other. One evening, they get into a silly argument about whether day is departing or night is...
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/01/2009
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer in the Snow
Elmer 9: Elmer in the Snow
David McKee
At the first hint of a chill in the air, Elmer's friends start complaining about the cold, so Elmer decides to show them what cold weather is really like. They set off for a walk up a mountain, and the...
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/10/2008
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Four Red Apples
Four Red Apples
David McKee
Ringo Rabbit was sure that he was the only one who could juggle four red apples. But almost immediately Rubens Pig turns up, and says he can do it, too! It turns out that everyone in the vicinity knows how...
Format: Paperback - Released: 03/07/2008
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and the Lost Teddy
Elmer 15: Elmer and the Lost Teddy
David McKee
Baby Elephant can't sleep because he has lost his teddy, so Elmer sets off to look for it. Eventually Elmer hears a voice shouting 'Help! I'm lost!' Is Baby Elephant's teddy a talking teddy, or is Wilbur playing a trick...
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/06/2008
Price: £5.24 - Saving 1.75 (25%)
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Elmer and the Lost Teddy
Elmer 15: Elmer and the Lost Teddy
David McKee
Baby Elephant can't sleep because he has lost his teddy, so Elmer sets off to look for it. Eventually Elmer hears a voice shouting 'Help! I'm lost!' Can Baby Elephant's teddy talk, or is Wilbur playing a trick on Elmer,...
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/06/2008
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and Rose
Elmer 24: Elmer and Rose
David McKee
Grandpa Eldo asks Elmer and Wilbur to help a young elephant find her way back to her herd - and they get a shock when they see she is pink! No wonder she is called Rose. But there is an...
Format: Paperback - Released: 10/01/2008
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer
Elmer 1: Elmer
David McKee
Presents a message is that it is ok to be different.
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/09/2007
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer
Elmer
David McKee
Presents a message is that it is ok to be different.
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/09/2007
Price: £5.24 - Saving 1.75 (25%)
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Elmer and Snake
Elmer and Snake
David McKee
The elephants decide to play a trick on Elmer. Snake suggests pretending to Elmer that he looks pale and ill, to see if they can make him believe that he really is unwell. However, at the same time, Snake also...
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/03/2007
Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)
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Elmer and Wilbur
Elmer and Wilbur
David McKee
Elmer the patchwork elephant has lost his ventriloquist cousin, Wilbur, in the jungle! He searches high and low, and is about to give up and go home for tea when Wilbur stops him - he's been hiding up a tree...
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/08/2006
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and Friends First Colouring Activity Book
Elmer and Friends First Colouring Activity Book
David McKee
Elmer has lots of friends. They are all different colours - pink, yellow, green, blue, purple, orange, red and black. But only Elmer, everyone's favourite patchwork elephant, is all those colours. This title lets you colour in the pictures of...
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/06/2006
Price: £2.24 - Saving 0.75 (25%)
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Elmer and Friends Sticker Story Book
Elmer and Friends Sticker Story Book
David McKee
Elmer woke up one sunny morning and decided to go for a walk. On the way he meets all his many animal friends. As the story is being read to them, this title lets small children find the right animal...
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/06/2006
Price: £2.99 - Saving 1.00 (25%)
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Isabel's Noisy Tummy
Isabel's Noisy Tummy
David McKee
Isabel's classmates think it is hilarious when Isabel's tummy rumbles in class. One day the class visits the zoo and Isabel's growling tummy saves them all from an escaping tiger. This amazing roar seems to have worn her tummy out,...
Format: Paperback - Released: 04/05/2006
Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)
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Three Monsters
Three Monsters
David McKee
A monster arrives in a idyll of two monsters, by the sea. He says that his homeland was destroyed by an earthquake, and he needs a place to live. The two monsters make him do lots of necessary land clearing....
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/03/2006
Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)
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Mr Benn Gladiator
Mr Benn Gladiator
David McKee
Mr Benn always visits a costume shop, chooses a costume, and goes through a special door. Then, as if by magic, he can travel to the era represented by the costume. This time he chooses a gladiator costume, and he...
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/10/2005
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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The Conquerors
The Conquerors
David McKee
There once was a large country that was ruled by a General. The General would take his army and attack all the countries around him until they were conquered. Eventually, there was only one small country left to conquer. However,...
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/07/2005
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and the Hippos
Elmer 21: Elmer and the Hippos
David McKee
The elephants are not very happy: the hippos have come to live in their river because their own has dried up. When the elephants complain to Elmer that the river is over-crowded, Elmer sets off to see what he can...
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/09/2004
Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)
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Charlotte's Piggy Bank
Charlotte's Piggy Bank
David McKee
Charlotte is given a piggy bank by her aunt, who also puts in a coin to start her savings. 'Silly present,' thinks Charlotte later as she shakes the pig to try to get the coin out. 'Don't do that,' says...
Format: Paperback - Released: 26/02/2004
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer and the Butterfly
Elmer 19: Elmer and the Butterfly
David McKee
One day, as Elmer is strolling through the jungle, he hears a cry for help. A butterfly has been trapped in a hole by a fallen branch. Elmer rushes to the rescue and frees her with ease. In return, she...
Format: Paperback - Released: 31/05/2003
Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)
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Elmer and Grandpa Eldo
Elmer and Grandpa Eldo
David McKee
Elmer is on his way to meet his grandpa Eldo. He has great fun in reminding him of all the things they used to do together, but is Eldo as forgetful as Elmer thinks? He may be old but he...
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/09/2002
Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)
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Look! There's Elmer
Look! There's Elmer
David McKee
Elmer is playing hide and seek with Bird, but it's not as easy as it looks ... Children will have fun playing along with everyone's favourite patchwork elephant in this hole-in-the-page adventure.
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/06/2002
Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)
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Two Can Toucan
Two Can Toucan
David McKee
How did the Toucan get its name? Find out in this modern fable.
Format: Paperback - Released: 21/09/2001
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer's Hide-and-seek
Elmer's Lift the Flap Books: Elmer's Hide-and-seek
David McKee
Elmer the patchwork elephant loves playing hide-and-seek with his friend Bird. Lift the flaps to help Elmer look for her in all sorts of places, and learn the colours of the rainbow too.
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/02/2001
Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)
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Elmer The Story of a Patchwork Elephant
Big Book S.: Elmer The Story of a Patchwork Elephant
David McKee
Elmer is different from all the other elephants in the jungle. Instead of being grey he has a patchwork of all the colours in the rainbow. But one day he gets fed up with being different and decides he'd like...
Format: Paperback - Released: 21/05/1998
Price: £9.74 - Saving 3.25 (25%)
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