Andersen Press Unveil Partnership With Ollie And Gareth Locke For World Book Day® £1 Book Elmer And The Patchwork Story
Special reading celebrating World Book Day live on YouTube
Elmer and the Patchwork Story has already sold over 35,000 through TCM charts
Activity kicks-off full year of extensive 35th Anniversary celebrations for David McKee’s Elmer the Patchwork Elephant
Andersen Press have partnered with TV and social media sensations Ollie and Gareth Locke in promotion of their £1 World Book Day book Elmer and the Patchwork Story by David McKee.
Reading available here.
Ollie and Gareth have recorded a beautiful reading of the £1 book which can be viewed on Andersen Press’ YouTube channel and will share further, new Elmer books and products be shared across the pairs’ social channels in the run-up to World Book Day on 7th March.
Ollie and Gareth Locke captured the nations hearts through E4’s BAFTA award-winning show Made In Chelsea; their wedding was watched by over 3.5million people, and they have since lead viewers on the show and through their own YouTube content through the trials and tribulations of having children as a gay couple. Their individual Instagram profiles have a combined following of over 700,000.
Ollie’s Instagram
Gareth’s Instagram
Elmer and the Patchwork Story by David McKee is one of the £1/€1.50 World Book Day books children can choose for free between 15 February and 31 March 2024 with their World Book Day book token. The book has already sold 35,000 copies through Nielsen TCM, appearing at number 2 in the overall book charts for two weeks. For more information and the full selection visit World Book Day.
Ollie and Gareth Locke have said of the collaboration “We love sharing Elmer’s message of inclusivity and friendship with our babies, and what better way to celebrate World Book Day on 7th March than with this fun new story, perfect for bedtime for children of all ages.”
Paul Black, PR and Brand Director for Andersen Press has said of the partnership “Elmer is the ambassador for inclusivity and celebrating difference, and in this special anniversary year it felt like there were no better partners than Ollie and Gareth Locke for our World Book Day campaign. We hope many children and families around the country are introduced to Elmer and this new £1 World Book Day book through their activity.”
This marks part of Andersen Press’ 35th Anniversary campaign for McKee’s Elmer, with new publishing, sculpture trails planned for Eastbourne, Blackpool and Lincoln planned throughout the year, new activations with partners such as Chessington World of Adventures and a brand new theatre show premiering this October from producers Tall Stories. 2024 is very much the year of Elmer.
Reading available here.
About Ollie and Gareth Locke
Ollie and Gareth Locke have become one of the most talked about couples in the UK, having had the highest watched wedding worldwide of 2020 and their struggle to have children documented on E4’s BAFTA award winning show Made In Chelsea… they have become sweethearts of UK TV! Ollie captured the peoples hearts as an original cast member of the show and after some personal realisations found Gareth who joined the show in 2018. The couple got married watched by over 3.5 million people, and have had since had two children, twins, Cosima and Apollo.
Gareth in his own right is an accomplished fashion consultant and has been awarded Forbes and Drapers magazines 30 under 30 most influential and continues to grow brands. Ollie is a Sunday Times Bestselling author, having three books under his belt and continues to work in television. Ollie has worked on over 40 shows and has starred in films alongside Isla Fisher, Steve Coogan and Steven Fry. They live with their children and two dogs in London.
Ollie’s Instagram
Gareth’s Instagram
Elmer celebrates 35 years of publication by Andersen Press in 2024 and remains one of the most iconic and widely read children’s book series of all time, selling over 10 million copies worldwide since it was first published by Andersen Press in 1989. Written and illustrated by celebrated children’s author and artist David McKee, the Elmer books have been translated into more than 60 languages and now new books, toys and clothing add to the world of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant.
A beloved classic and firm family favourite, David McKee’s iconic and brightly coloured patchwork elephant is the ambassador for friendship and celebrating everyone’s own true colours.
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 Andersen Press
Andersen Press is a leading independent children’s publisher, and home to some of the biggest names in the world of children’s books, including the much-loved picture book characters Elmer the Patchwork Elephant and the Little Princess. Andersen Press is the publisher of many award-winning authors and illustrators including Phil Earle, Melvin Burgess, Sue Cheung, Kwame Alexander, Alex Wheatle, Harry Woodgate, Susin Nielsen, Ciara Smyth, Yvette Fielding, Julian Clary, David Roberts, Tony Ross, David McKee, and Jeanne Willis. The company was founded in 1976 by Klaus Flugge.
Elmer and the Patchwork Story – Available for World Book Day 2024
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