Elmer and the Big Bird

Another super title from David McKee featuring Elmer and his cousin Wilbur. This time they come to the aid of all the little birds who are being bullied by the big bird. Wilbur has a talent for putting on voices which the birds usually gather round to enjoy, but on this particular day, Elmer is puzzled to note that they are nowhere to be seen. When he tracks them down, they tell him they’re hiding from a huge bully of a bird sitting high up on a rock. So, as the big bird does not respond to Elmer’s friendly entreaty, a clever plan is hatched. Wilbur’s voice-throwing skills are put to good use as he pretends to be the voice of an enormous bird and all the little birds rise up as one from the forest in the form of a gigantic bird shape in the sky. Bully bird suddenly remembers it’s his uncle’s birthday and scarpers. As ever, McKee’s illustrations and text work their magic together to delight young readers.