A01=David McKee
A12=Marysia Milewski
animals
Author_David McKee
Author_Marysia Milewski
big cheese jory john
big dreaming
Category=YBCH
Category=YFP
Category=YNNJ2
Category=YNU
Category=YXZW
classic empathy kindness caring friendship teamwork bestseller series family lion
come what may debi gliori
conflict
daisy trouble with kes gray
day crayons made friends drew daywalt very busy oliver jeffers
elephants
eq_activity-picture-books
eq_baby-toddler-early-learning
eq_bestseller
eq_childrens
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_personal-social-topics
eq_teenage-young-adult
follow the fox rob biddulph
forthcoming
games
hippos
humour
jokes
julia donaldson
jungle
mabel mountain kim hillyard courage
michael rosen
number one sam greg pizzoli
olympics
race
really want to win simon philip
teacher classroom parent school assembly primary nursery illustrated picture book
teaching learning lose
tilda tries again tom percival
war
win competition sports day funny story message lesson moral gentle
Product details
- ISBN 9781839136382
- Dimensions: 243 x 281mm
- Publication Date: 10 Sep 2026
- Publisher: Andersen Press Ltd
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
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It’s elephants versus hippos in the jungle tug of war! But what happens when neither side can win? Thankfully, Elmer has an idea…
When the hippos challenge the elephants to a game of tug of war, all the animals are excited to find out who will. win. But when the teams start to pull, no one moves! Days later, they are still competing and the other animals have lost interest, but luckily Elmer has a plan that will finally end the game…
A funny story with a subtle lesson that winning isn't everything, from master storyteller David McKee (1935-2022) and illustrated by his dear friend Marysia Milewski.
David McKee (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.
Marysia Milewski (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 illustrates children’s books and magazines and participates in workshops for youth creativity. Her friendship with David McKee and a shared love of intuitive and engaging art makes her the perfect illustrator to continue the legacy of Elmer’s world. Marysia lives and works at her gallery in Vence, France.
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.
Marysia Milewski (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 illustrates children’s books and magazines and participates in workshops for youth creativity. Her friendship with David McKee and a shared love of intuitive and engaging art makes her the perfect illustrator to continue the legacy of Elmer’s world. Marysia lives and works at her gallery in Vence, France.
