TRIBUTES have been paid to author and illustrator of the iconic Elmer the Patchwork Elephant and Mr Benn books David McKee by people in his hometown of Tavistock following his death last week.

Mr McKee, 87, was born and brought up in the West Devon town which honoured him in 2019 when the town’s Lions’ club used Elmer as the inspiration for the carnival — 30 years after the publication of the first Elmer book.

Tavistock Primary School which has a permanent model of Elmer in its reception which the children designed and painted in that anniversary year said Mr Mckee was ‘a wonderful children’s author and illustrator’ and Tavistock Lion Steve Grummit said he was very sad to learn of his death in France.

David McKee’s character Elmer first appeared in 1968 in the book of the same name, and since then he has been inspiring children and adults with his wisdom.

Elmer is a multicoloured elephant who lives happily among a grey herd, and after he tries and fails to hide his true self, he learns that his friends love him for his uniqueness.

Mr McKee wrote Elmer after witnessing an upsetting remark aimed at his daughter. He wanted to celebrate differences which he said were what made the world so rich — differences of colour, of accents, but also of size, shape and how we dress.

The message which comes from the book is as relevant today as it has always been.

David wrote and illustrated 29 original Elmer books, and collectively they have been translated into more than 60 languages. More than 10-million copies have been sold.

In a statement to the Times Tavistock Primary School said: ‘David McKee was a wonderful children’s author and illustrator. His books are regularly used for story reading and as part of wider curriculum projects at Tavistock Primary and Nursery School. the way he was able to highlight feelings of isolation, as in Not Now Bernard or how it feels to be different from others as in his Elmer stories, are perfect texts for teaching children about these complex emotions.

‘The Elmer we designed and decorated as a school in 2019 as part of the Elmer project, has pride of place in our school library and is a constant reminder of David McKee’s connection to the local area.’

The author studied at Plymouth Art College, was an established illustrator and also had a successful career as a fine artist.

Elmer’s Big Parade in Plymouth in 2019 to celebrate 30 years since the first book was published, was coordinated by St Luke’s Hospice in conjunction with Wild in Art and Andersen Press, the publisher of Elmer. Some 40 1.1m high multi-coloured elephants were spread all over Plymouth from the waterfront to The Hoe, through the city centre and onto the Royal William Yard and over to Mount Edgcumbe.

The Young Elmers were part of an educational programme in which 25 schools designed and decorated their own Elmers. Tavistock’s main primary school and St Peter’s Junior School were both involved. The elephants went on display at Mount Edgcumbe before returning to the schools for keeps.

One of the 1.1m high Elmers in the anniversary parade also took pride of place leading the procession in the 2019 Tavistock Carnival.

Lion member Steve Grummitt said Mr McKee’s association with Tavistock was not well known and so in 2019 Elmer was made a feature of the carnival.

‘Everyone knows the Elmer books but not many knew that the author was from Tavistock and I was one of them. Thanks to Elmer’s Big Parade and the carnival the same year many more people now know about him.

‘I was very sad to learn of Mr McKee’s death last week.’

Andersen Press announced the news on its website. It said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the death of David McKee, beloved author and illustrator for children, and creator of iconic children’s books Elmer, Not Now, Bernard and Mr Benn.

‘David died surrounded by his family, following a short illness in the South of France, where he has spent a lot of time in recent years; he was 87. All at Andersen Press hope his spirit lives on for many more generations through his joyful, heartfelt stories.

His long time publisher Klaus Flugge said: ‘I am devastated by the sudden death of my best friend David McKee. He was as close to Andersen Press as I am. He was there from the very beginning and essential to the origin of the company.

‘He became great friends with everyone he encountered; staff, authors and illustrators alike.

‘His was a singular voice and a shining light in children’s books that highlighted inclusivity, diversity and parts of our world that are not always present in publishing for children. His classic books have become part of the canon of children’s literature, and we hope will be enjoyed by children for many more generations to come.’

Mr McKee was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Open University at Plymouth College of Art in 2011. He was named the BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award winner in 2020 and also won Illustrator of the Year at that year’s British Book Awards.

Speaking to BookTrust in 2020 he said: ‘Children’s books can contribute to changing attitudes and are instrumental in helping children shape their view of the world.

‘Picture books are a child’s first glimpse into the art world and in some way, especially with some of my books, the illustrations are actually more important than the story.’