This story is a delightful book particularly suited for children in lower key stage two. The vocabulary was suitable with some challenging words appropriate for language development. Themes that children enjoy were present in the story. Children love reading books with the inclusion of an annoying sibling, the frustration of a bully and the joy of making new friends; these are issues which are important to them.

This book would be a welcome addition to any classroom, especially since the National Curriculum for England requires children to use persuasion in their writing. The topic of animals kept in zoos/circuses is an issue that children debate in schools. The use of brackets in the text, which often includes humorous extra information, will appeal to boys and girls. Year 5 children learn how to use brackets effectively in their writing so this will be a helpful resource for educational purposes as well.

This book was well-written, and the illustrations were entertaining. I believe colour illustrations are always better for engaging children, but the detailed drawings were interesting. Overall, children will enjoy reading this book. The tone is old-fashioned, but many parents and teachers will enjoy the nostalgic aspect of the story.

A good read, throughly enjoyed! Very good debut book! Would definitely read more of his books if he brings out anymore.

I was asked by NetGalley to review this lovely book

Rory is a boy with dreams and a great immagination he and his friends at out adventures whilst avioding the school bully.As with all families he has an annoying older sister Clare.

The circus comes to town and Rory becomes interested in this and Donna the elephant in the title.

A really lovely story and will be an ideal Christmas stocking filler

Thank you for letting me review this book.

A fantastic first book, full of warmth, humour, and adventure! Rory Sparkes is a boy with big dreams and even bigger plans, and his misadventures will have readers laughing out loud. With lively illustrations by Lorretta Schauer, this is a brilliantly funny debut that’s perfect for young readers who love imaginative stories packed with heart.

A light hearted children’s story book about friendship and fun. When the circus comes to town, Rory unexpectedly finds himself making friends with Evie and her pet elephant Donna. With Evie’s confidence enabling him to stand up to the class bully, and to get revenge on his sister, Rory realised that he is not cut out for a life on the road but becomes stronger as a result of the circus being in town.

Rory Sparkes is a young boy with big dreams, and an even bigger imagination. He also has an annoying older sister, Clare, and is cursed with having red hair which is the bane of his life. 🐘
Together with his friends, Gary and Adrian Thingy, he acts out adventures, and tris to avoid the school bully. 🐘
When the circus comes to town, and some of the circus children attend Rory's school, his life suddenly becomes much more interesting, not to mention chaotic, especially when he meets Donna, the elephant of the title. 🐘
I loved this book, which was reminiscent of books I read as a child. It made me feel a tad nostalgic for my childhood. A wonderful story, with some laugh-out-loud moments. 🐘
Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing UK and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

Rory may be a boy with his head in the clouds and some pretty wild ambitions, but his day to day concerns are a bit more basic - fixing torches and finishing homework!

But one of his plans with his friend, figuring out how to get themselves a new model sailboat, is a combination of realistic and ambitious. At least, that's how it feels! And when the circus comes to town, and the plan goes awry, there are other compensations...

This is a funny story with some charming illustrations, but the sequel references were a bit distracting and entirely unnecessary. It gets 3.5 stars.

In Hugh Bonneville's debut children's book, Rory Sparkes and the elephant in the room, readers are invited on a whirlwind adventure full of humor and heart. The story introduces us to Rory, a boy with a mind brimming with grand ambitions, from becoming a circus strongman to a globe-trotting cowboy. His current, more immediate goals, however, are a bit more grounded: avoiding a maths lesson and fixing his broken torch.

The story gets into high gear when Rory and his friend Guy concoct a scheme to raise money for a new model boat. Their plan soon backfires upon the arrival of a circus and the real possibility of a prank by Rory's pesky older sister, Clare. The author creates an incredibly humorous and absorbing story, skillfully matched with Lorretta Schauer's energetic illustrations. It's a heartwarming story of friendship, grand ambitions, and sidesplitting mayhem of plans foiled, and it's an amazing read for young explorers.

Rory Sparkes is in for a surprise. The circus is in town and three of the circus’s children join him and his friend Guy at school. More weirdly, they pitch up with Donna, their ten-year-old elephant.
And Rory, who always feels like he doesn’t quite belong, suddenly finds himself amongst a whole posse of friends.

A solid enough plot, but needs more illustrations and the repeated plug for a sequel becomes a bit tiresome.