具体描述
Whatever the weather, Elmer still has fun. He splashes in the puddles when it rains and has snowball fights with his friends when it snows. He loves the cluods that look like things made of cotton wool, and when the sun is out he wears some crazy dark glasses! never gets very far before falling fast asleep! A charming book of weather for very young children, featuring the endearing patchwork elephant, Elmer. Vibrant colours and simple rhyming text will attract many new Elmer fans. (19931025)
Elmer's Colours Elmer, a patchwork elephant unlike any other, lived in a world bursting with hues. His friends, a magnificent herd of grey elephants, were content with their monochrome existence, finding comfort in the familiar and the predictable. Elmer, however, saw the world through a prism of vibrant possibilities. His own coat, a dazzling mosaic of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, was a testament to his adventurous spirit and his appreciation for the rich tapestry of life. One crisp morning, as the sun painted the sky with strokes of rose and gold, Elmer noticed a subtle shift in the familiar rhythm of his herd. A hushed excitement rippled through the elephants, a silent anticipation for the annual Great Migration. This was a journey of immense significance, a rite of passage that tested their endurance and their unity. But this year, a shadow of unease seemed to hang over them. The oldest and wisest among them, a venerable matriarch named Elder Maeve, had fallen ill. Her strength was waning, and the herd feared they would not be able to undertake the perilous journey without her guidance. Elmer, ever the optimist, felt a pang of concern for his ailing friend. He trotted over to Maeve's resting place, his colourful coat a stark contrast to the muted tones of the worried elephants gathered around her. Maeve, her grey hide dull and her eyes clouded with weariness, managed a weak smile as Elmer approached. "My dear Elmer," she rasped, her voice barely a whisper, "the journey… it is too much for me this year." A collective sigh of despair swept through the onlookers. The migration was crucial; it led them to lush pastures and abundant water, essential for their survival. Without Maeve, their experienced leader, the path ahead seemed daunting, fraught with unknown dangers. Elmer, however, refused to succumb to despair. He looked at his colourful trunk, then at the grey elephants, and an idea began to form in his mind. He remembered the tales his mother used to tell him, stories of ancient times when the world was not so monochromatic, when colours were a source of strength and wonder. He remembered the stories of the Rainbow River, a legendary waterway said to possess healing properties, a place where even the dimmest light could be reignited. "Perhaps," Elmer began, his voice, though still young, carrying a newfound resolve, "perhaps I can help." The other elephants turned to him, their expressions a mixture of skepticism and faint hope. "But how, Elmer?" asked Barnaby, a large, grey bull known for his practicality. "You are but one elephant, and a rather… unconventional one at that." Elmer didn't flinch. He knew his appearance was different, but he also knew that his difference was his strength. He had always seen the world with a different perspective, noticing details others missed, finding beauty in unexpected places. "I can find the Rainbow River," he declared, his voice gaining confidence. "My colours will guide me. They will help me see the hidden paths, the secret signs that lead to places others cannot find." The herd murmured amongst themselves. The idea was audacious, perhaps even foolish. Yet, there was a spark of conviction in Elmer's bright eyes that was hard to ignore. Elder Maeve, overhearing their debate, beckoned Elmer closer. "The Rainbow River…" she mused, her voice strengthening slightly. "It is a legend, Elmer. A beautiful legend. But if anyone can find it, it would be you. Your spirit… it is as vibrant as your coat." Encouraged by Maeve's words, Elmer made his decision. He would embark on this quest, not just for himself, but for his herd, for Elder Maeve. He said his goodbyes, the anxious eyes of his friends following him as he turned towards the unknown horizon. His journey was not an easy one. The plains stretched endlessly before him, a canvas of greens and browns. But Elmer had his colours. When the sun beat down relentlessly, his bright yellow patches seemed to soak up the light, giving him a surge of energy. When he felt lost, his blue stripes reminded him of the vast, open sky, and the possibility of finding his way. He encountered dense forests, where the shadows played tricks on the eyes, but his fiery red and orange hues cut through the gloom, illuminating the path ahead. He met a family of chattering monkeys who, at first, were startled by his vibrant appearance. They had never seen such an unusual creature. But Elmer, with his gentle nature and his dazzling colours, soon won them over. They shared their knowledge of the forest, pointing him towards a hidden valley where, they said, the most beautiful flowers bloomed. In the valley, Elmer found a field of wildflowers, each one a tiny masterpiece of nature's palette. He spent hours there, marvelling at the intricate patterns and the delicate fragrances. He realised that his colours weren't just for show; they were a way of connecting with the world, of understanding its subtle messages. As he travelled further, he encountered a wise old tortoise who taught him the importance of patience and perseverance. "The most precious things," the tortoise croaked, his voice ancient and slow, "are rarely found on the quickest paths, young Elmer. Look for the whispers of the wind, the patterns in the dust, the way the light falls through the leaves. These are the signs." Elmer listened intently, absorbing every word. He began to notice things he had never noticed before: the way a spider spun its web, catching the dew in tiny, iridescent pearls; the subtle variations in the colour of a pebble; the shimmering wings of a dragonfly. His own colourful coat seemed to amplify his perception, allowing him to see the world with an even greater richness. Finally, after many days of travel, Elmer reached a place where the air felt different, alive with a gentle hum. He saw a faint shimmer in the distance, a kaleidoscope of light dancing on the water's surface. He had found it. The Rainbow River. The water was not just clear; it pulsed with an otherworldly glow, reflecting every colour imaginable. Elmer dipped his trunk into the cool, shimmering liquid. He felt an immediate sense of rejuvenation, a warmth spreading through his being. He filled his trunk with the water and began his journey back, eager to share his discovery. The return journey felt different. Elmer was no longer just a colourful elephant; he was an elephant who had seen the extraordinary and brought back its magic. He was greeted by his anxious herd with a mixture of disbelief and awe. He poured the Rainbow River water into a large trough, and Elder Maeve, her eyes gleaming with hope, drank deeply. Slowly, but surely, Maeve's strength returned. Her grey hide regained some of its lustre, and her eyes sparkled with their former wisdom. The herd rejoiced, their faith in Elmer, the colourful elephant, restored. With Elder Maeve's renewed strength, the herd was able to embark on their Great Migration, their hearts filled with gratitude for Elmer's courage and his extraordinary journey. And as they travelled, Elmer's colours seemed to shine even brighter, a beacon of hope and a reminder that even in a world that often seems grey, there is always room for colour, for wonder, and for the magic of discovering the hidden beauty that lies all around us. The herd, inspired by Elmer, began to see the world a little differently, appreciating the subtle shades and nuances that had always been there, waiting to be discovered. Elmer's Colours was not just about the hues on his skin, but about the vibrant spirit that made him see the world with unparalleled wonder.
