Elmer and the White Bear

With a gentle environmental theme, this is the last Elmer story that David McKee was working on, finished by his close friend and artist Marysia Milewski.

When the ice starts to melt at the North Pole, a polar bear sets off on an adventure that takes him all the way to Elmer's jungle!

When a mysterious white bear appears in the jungle, Elmer and Wilbur are keen to hear his story. He has come all the way from the north pole on a floating scrap of ice, and now he can’t find his way home. Luckily, Elmer and Wilbur have an idea! But what caused the white bear’s icy home to melt in the first place? That’s a much more puzzling question.

With a gentle introduction to the themes of climate change, this is David McKee's (1935–2022) Elmer story with artwork by his dear friend and fine artist, Marysia Milewski.

About the Author

David McKee (1935 - 2022) was the creator of well-known characters including King Rollo, Mr Benn and Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, which is now published in more than 60 languages and has its own successful global merchandise programme. David was born in Devon and went to Plymouth Art College, where he had a traditional training. On leaving college he drew regularly for Punch, Reader’s Digest, and The Times Educational Supplement. His drawings were influenced especially by Saul Steinberg and Andre Francois. In 2020, David won the British Book Awards Illustrator of the Year Award and BookTrust’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

About the Illustrator

Marysia Milewski is a painter and illustrator of polish descent, born in London. She studied at L’Ecole Freinet in Vence, and went on to work with many renowned artists including Cecily Sash at the Granary Painting School in Mountford, UK. She now runs a gallery in Vence, illustrates children’s books and magazines and participates in workshops for youth creativity. Marysia met David McKee through a chance meeting of family. Their friendship and their shared love of intuitive and engaging art makes Maryisa the perfect illustrator to bring Elmer’s world and David’s last Elmer story to the world. Marysia lives and works at her gallery in Vence, France.