Elmer remains one of the most iconic and widely read children’s books of all time, written and illustrated by the late, great David McKee, it has sold over 10 million copies worldwide since it was first published by Andersen Press in 1989. The colourful patchwork elephant who champions individuality, creativity, and joy, is about to bring even more fun and enjoyment thanks to Andersen Press’s licensing deal with The Puppet Company, which sees the new Elmer Puppets launch at Harrogate Home & Gift.

Now in its 22nd year, The Puppet Company is a key player in the gift and toy world, striking a unique balance between being a family-run, values-led business, and a global market leader, unbeaten on both quality and price. The Puppet Company promotes creative play – the products are about children and adults alike being inspired to tell stories, to ignite their imagination and to make people smile. In a tech-saturated world, this battery-free approach to gifting is increasingly in demand and from our founding roots we continue to champion the importance of creative play. This ethos is what attracted Andersen Press to the company, and the partnership is an incredibly exciting one for the industry.

Speaking on behalf of Andersen Press, Paul Black, PR and Brand Director said, “Elmer is a symbol of inclusivity and friendship, themes from David McKee’s books that have resonated with millions of children around the world. The team at The Puppet Company really understand this and share the same ethos and values. They are the perfect licensing partner to bring Elmer to a new audience of children and adults alike. We can’t wait to see what adventures Elmer goes on.”

The Elmer products from The Puppet Company encourage speech and language development in young children, encourage children to embrace the wonder of the world we live in, and have been designed to be especially accessible and affordable. The Elmer My First Puppet is suitable from birth, made from soft materials and has embroidered eyes all tested to the highest possible standards. They have also created a beautiful stand-alone Finger Puppet Elmer so you can carry him with you wherever you go - perfect for pockets and adventures! By using The Puppet Company’s most-trusted long-term manufacturer they have ensured the product is made to the highest quality at affordable price points to continue their ethos of making their Puppets as inclusive and accessible as possible.

This is the first licensing deal that The Puppet Company have taken, with more exciting announcements to follow, and the company are thrilled to have started with such a favourite.

Director and Co-Founder Sue Lockey says, “We are delighted to have brought the most-loved Elmer character to life and to continue sharing the magic and power of puppets. As an ex-teacher I know first-hand the importance of sharing stories such as Elmer’s and celebrating each child’s individual character and differences. We are a family business and I have fond memories of reading all four of my children the Elmer books when they were growing up, and now sharing the books and puppets with my grandchildren is a real delight. We hope to continue inspiring future generations by bringing this most wonderful character to life.”

The new Elmer puppet range will be launched at Harrogate Home and Gift in July 2023.

For further information contact Product & Marketing Director Katy Rugman: katy@thepuppetcompany.com

Tel: 01462 446040

www.thepuppetcompany.com