Elmer & The Big Bird: Elmer Deals with a Bully

Many parents will be  familiar with our patchwork elephant Elmer. 

The friendly elephant is always so helpful, as he is in the story Elmer and the Big Bird. Having grown up with Elmer and his stories I loved reading this one; especially to my children.

My youngest is now starting school full-time and this can be very daunting for any parent… I’m sure all parents out there reading this will understand the feeling. So there were a few themes running through this book that might help my little one understand a few things about school.

In the story, Elmer is in the jungle with her friends, a tiger, a crocodile, Elmer’s cousin Wilbur, a lion and a few little fluffy bunnies. While Wilbur was playing ‘voice tricks’ in the jungle, Elmer noticed that there were no birds around so he decided to go and investigate. He found all the little birds hiding quietly in a cave. One of the birds told him, “We’re hiding from that huge, nasty, bully bird…” Elmer comes up with a plan to help his bird friends. He gathers all his jungle friends and all the little birds come together. When the big bird wouldn’t stop bullying, the little birds fly together and form an even bigger bird in the sky. The big bird is frightened and disappears! Elmer has helped his friends and they can all be happy again.

Obviously, this story tackles the bullying issue and how bullying can be dealt with without using violence. My daughter made a couple of comments that really touched my heart and gave me confidence that she’ll be ok in big school! She said, “Mummy, I can help my friends and they will help me.” So, I asked her, “What will you do if someone is not being very nice to you at school?” To which she replied, “I won’t hide in a cave!” She makes me laugh!

How you can use this book with children at the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

I think she learnt a few things from the story. Elmer and the Big Bird is a great story to help young children discuss and develop their language, confidence and the skills they need to express themselves. Definitely a great story for circle time in the classroom, encouraging personal, social and emotional development, it helps children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others.

Elmer can help the children to think about the friendships they form and making sure they develop respect for each other and treat each other equally, not like the big bird did. If a child is being bullied or is unhappy, hopefully this will encourage them to manage their feelings and speak to someone about how they feel, knowing that by sharing they can find a solution… otherwise they will keep hiding away in a cave and continue to be unhappy.
Elmer and the Big Bird covers a range of EYFS topics as mentioned above and would be a great teaching resource as well as a basis for starting a conversations with your little ones at home about life in the community and the big wide world!

To finish off, I have to mention the illustrations, big, bold and colourful! Elmer is just the best, cuddly patchwork elephant and the illustrations compliment the story beautifully. As your little one listens to you read they will stay focused as the pictures also tell the story beautifully.