David Mckee was a British writer and illustrator, chiefly of children’s books and animations. For his contribution as a children’s illustrator, he was a UK nominee for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2006.
Growing up, David attended a grammar school and upon completion, he continued at Plymouth College of Art. He began making some cash by selling his works while in college.
“Two Can Toucan”, was the first-ever book David sold and its story is about a South American bird who can carry two cans of paint on its enormous bill.
This was published by Abelard-Schuman in 1964; a 1985 edition with new illustrations by McKee was re-issued in 2001 by Andersen Press.
McKee produced characters who shaped the premise of the book series, including Elmer the Patchwork Elephant.
Elmer was first distributed by Dobson Books in 1968 and was regiven by Andersen Press in 1989.
His 29 Elmer books have sold in excess of 10 million duplicates and have shown up in more than 60 languages being adjusted as stage plays and an animated series.
The character has generated a scope of products, including soft toys, from London Emblem and Elmer board books.
McKee delineated the tunes “Toy Boy” and “Desolate Alcoholic” in artist lyricist Mika’s drawn-out play Songs for Sorrow.
Perhaps McKee’s earliest book, Six Men (1972, 2011), shows how war can create.
Author David McKee Wife, Who Is Violet McKee?
McKee was married twice and had a son with his first wife, Violet, who also became an author, and who David often illustrated for. Violet was of Anglo-Indian descent.
After an upsetting moment in which his daughter, Chantel, was racially abused while she was walking, the event inspired him to write a story including his iconic character Elmer struggling to fit in because of his patchwork skin.
