Step into the colourful world of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant and his animal friends and celebrate 30 years of the beloved characters created by David McKee.

When: Until April 16, 2023 | Daily from 10am to 5.30pm

Where: The Horniman Museum

Age: Under 7

Ticket price: Child £3, Adult £5.50, Family of 3 (1 adult) £9, Family of 4 (up to 2 adults) £13.50. Horniman members and benefactors have free, unlimited entry. Prices include a voluntary
Gift Aid donation.

Find out more and book here

More information from organisers:

The Elmer and Friends exhibition begins with Elmer’s world, where visitors can walk through Elmer’s jungle, encountering characters and stories along the way. Original artworks and storyboards are displayed alongside cosy reading areas and a large-scale magnetic Elmer game.

As well as illustrations from the Elmer series, there will be original artwork from Not Now Bernard, Mr Benn and an original storyboard of King Rollo. Visit the fancy-dress costume shop featured in Mr Benn, with dressing up and reading areas.

David McKee (1935 – 2022) was born in Devon and studied at Plymouth Art College. In the early part of his career, McKee regularly drew and sold humorous drawings to magazines and newspapers such as The Times Educational Supplement, Punch, and the Reader’s Digest.

David McKee wrote and illustrated over 200 picture books for Andersen Press and penned a number of children’s classics including King Rollo, Mr Benn, Not Now Bernard and Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. In 2020, he won Illustrator of the Year at the British Book Awards and Book Trust Lifetime Achievement Award.

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