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Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room: The hilarious first children's book from Paddington star, Hugh Bonneville
Buckle up for the adventure of a lifetime in the hilarious first children's book from Paddington star, Hugh Bonneville
Rory Sparkes is a boy with a head full of dreams. He might become a strongman and travel the world with the circus. Or he might try to make it as a cowboy – that would be a fan-tas-tic second best. Although at the moment he'd settle for missing his maths lesson and making his torch work properly.
As he plots to help his best friend, Guy, earn enough money to buy the latest top-of-the-line model boat (so they can set sail for South America), the circus rolls into town and everything spirals out of control. With Guy needing help doing odd jobs for the terrifying Madame Lowe, and with Clare, Rory's annoying older sister, planning a dastardly prank, will Rory's plans ever work out? Let's see …
Filled with brilliantly funny illustrations from Lorretta Schauer.
Rory Sparkes is a boy with a head full of dreams. He might become a strongman and travel the world with the circus. Or he might try to make it as a cowboy – that would be a fan-tas-tic second best. Although at the moment he'd settle for missing his maths lesson and making his torch work properly.
As he plots to help his best friend, Guy, earn enough money to buy the latest top-of-the-line model boat (so they can set sail for South America), the circus rolls into town and everything spirals out of control. With Guy needing help doing odd jobs for the terrifying Madame Lowe, and with Clare, Rory's annoying older sister, planning a dastardly prank, will Rory's plans ever work out? Let's see …
Filled with brilliantly funny illustrations from Lorretta Schauer.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2025
2 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 6, 2025
4.5 actually, very sweet and superbly funny.
October 28, 2025
Rory is quite old now, but he has lots of fun tales to tell, and his first one is all about when the circus came to town. He does admit he might just add a few not quite true bits, but they will definitely make it a better story….
Rory lives with his mum, dad, and incredibly infuriating older sister Clare, in a town called Brenwell Heath. Every year, Teddy Trent’s Circus comes to town and Rory and his family will go along to see all the acts. This year, one of the most exciting parts of the circus comes to him.
One day after being interrupted while talking in front of the class, he spies a girl at the window poking her tongue out at him. He instantly goes the colour of his fiery red hair, racing out of the room, almost forgetting that she happens to be held in the air by the trunk of an elephant!
After the entire class has followed, Rory and his classmates meet Evie, Flick and Fliss from the circus. The elephant is called Donna and as Evie’s best friend, has come to school too. An unfortunate incident that follows with the Rory’s teacher and headmistress, is the very best thing that has happened at All Saints Primary School in ages.
Life becomes even more exciting when Rory helps his best friend Guy with his odd-job idea to make more pocket money. They find themselves in the strange home of Madame Lowe, who everyone knows is a creepy old lady, responsible for at least one missing person. They cannot finish her jobs quick enough, but not before they spy something suspicious.
Relieved to survive, Guy keeps saving his money, Rory becomes increasingly irritated by his big sister, and Evie proves to him, that maybe running away to the circus isn’t such a great idea. Suddenly chaos erupts in the street in the form of a bright yellow paint-splattered cat, and the police are called!
What is going to happen next in Brenwell Heath?
From the actor best known in Australasia as Robert Crawley in Downtown Abbey and Mr Brown in the Paddington movies, Rory Sparkes is the 1st book in a new series.
Perfect for early middle-grade readers who enjoy stories about family, pranks, and mysterious neighbours – then all rolled into the wonder of a visiting circus. Main character Rory introduces himself in the beginning of the book, admitting he’s an old man now, but has a few interesting stories he’d like to share.
While Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room is definitely funny, it also touches on true friendship, the story behind a bully, and misconceptions of folk in your neighbourhood.
An entertaining read for young readers, with fun illustrations sprinkled throughout the book too.
Rory lives with his mum, dad, and incredibly infuriating older sister Clare, in a town called Brenwell Heath. Every year, Teddy Trent’s Circus comes to town and Rory and his family will go along to see all the acts. This year, one of the most exciting parts of the circus comes to him.
One day after being interrupted while talking in front of the class, he spies a girl at the window poking her tongue out at him. He instantly goes the colour of his fiery red hair, racing out of the room, almost forgetting that she happens to be held in the air by the trunk of an elephant!
After the entire class has followed, Rory and his classmates meet Evie, Flick and Fliss from the circus. The elephant is called Donna and as Evie’s best friend, has come to school too. An unfortunate incident that follows with the Rory’s teacher and headmistress, is the very best thing that has happened at All Saints Primary School in ages.
Life becomes even more exciting when Rory helps his best friend Guy with his odd-job idea to make more pocket money. They find themselves in the strange home of Madame Lowe, who everyone knows is a creepy old lady, responsible for at least one missing person. They cannot finish her jobs quick enough, but not before they spy something suspicious.
Relieved to survive, Guy keeps saving his money, Rory becomes increasingly irritated by his big sister, and Evie proves to him, that maybe running away to the circus isn’t such a great idea. Suddenly chaos erupts in the street in the form of a bright yellow paint-splattered cat, and the police are called!
What is going to happen next in Brenwell Heath?
From the actor best known in Australasia as Robert Crawley in Downtown Abbey and Mr Brown in the Paddington movies, Rory Sparkes is the 1st book in a new series.
Perfect for early middle-grade readers who enjoy stories about family, pranks, and mysterious neighbours – then all rolled into the wonder of a visiting circus. Main character Rory introduces himself in the beginning of the book, admitting he’s an old man now, but has a few interesting stories he’d like to share.
While Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room is definitely funny, it also touches on true friendship, the story behind a bully, and misconceptions of folk in your neighbourhood.
An entertaining read for young readers, with fun illustrations sprinkled throughout the book too.
August 29, 2025
I loved this book! It was funny and was all about friendship and seeing a different side of people you may have not seen before!
Rory Sparkes is a boy with a huge imagination. He might become a strongman or run away with the circus or become a cowboy and rule the Wild West. As he plans to help his best friend, Guy, earn enough money to buy a model boat so they can sail to South America, the circus rolls into town and everything starts to spiral out of control. With Donna the Elephant crashing into their school playground to Clare, Rory’s older sister, planning a dastardly prank, he starts to wonder if his plans will ever work out. Well, there only one way to find out…
I really enjoyed this book. It was very funny, and I loved all of the characters. The illustrations were amazing, and the storyline kept me on my toes. It was all about making friends, standing up to and befriending bullies and becoming unsung heroes. I really enjoyed Hugh’s writing style, and I just didn’t want to put it down. I hope to read more of Hugh’s work in the future, and this book comes out on October 9th!
Rory Sparkes is a boy with a huge imagination. He might become a strongman or run away with the circus or become a cowboy and rule the Wild West. As he plans to help his best friend, Guy, earn enough money to buy a model boat so they can sail to South America, the circus rolls into town and everything starts to spiral out of control. With Donna the Elephant crashing into their school playground to Clare, Rory’s older sister, planning a dastardly prank, he starts to wonder if his plans will ever work out. Well, there only one way to find out…
I really enjoyed this book. It was very funny, and I loved all of the characters. The illustrations were amazing, and the storyline kept me on my toes. It was all about making friends, standing up to and befriending bullies and becoming unsung heroes. I really enjoyed Hugh’s writing style, and I just didn’t want to put it down. I hope to read more of Hugh’s work in the future, and this book comes out on October 9th!
December 6, 2025
Oh dear. It seems that spending decades acting in that plummy "Drownton Villas", or whatever it's called, has left this author with a plum in his mouth too. Despite a prologue telling us this is set in the past, but unable to say exactly when, for no reason, this fails to justify being an old-fashioned read, with a vocab much out of touch with the average modern young reader, and a lead character who at times speaks like his grandmother. And actually this is so uneven and illogical it's probably a bit rum to call it old-fashioned – back in the day the narratives made a bit more sense.
This is generally a way to set up a 'found family' for Rory, with his best mate, the kid round the corner, and of course the girl from the circus and her elephant. The fact the place seems to be a small village and the circus stays there at least a month is but the least of its worries. Not recommended, although it does provide two stars' worth of light froth for the person devoid of anything better to read.
This is generally a way to set up a 'found family' for Rory, with his best mate, the kid round the corner, and of course the girl from the circus and her elephant. The fact the place seems to be a small village and the circus stays there at least a month is but the least of its worries. Not recommended, although it does provide two stars' worth of light froth for the person devoid of anything better to read.
August 11, 2025
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.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
October 9, 2025
Many thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, Hugh Bonneville and NetGalley for providing this advanced copy.
A charming and witty debut from Hugh Bonneville, this story is full of personality and playful chaos. Rory is a spirited main character with a vivid imagination, and his run-ins with school life, troublesome siblings, and an unexpected elephant make for a highly entertaining read. The circus twist adds a splash of magic without drifting too far from reality, making it both funny and relatable. The illustrations complement the story well, adding an extra layer of fun. A great pick for readers aged 7–9, and all those who enjoy a bit of mischief and heart in their books
A charming and witty debut from Hugh Bonneville, this story is full of personality and playful chaos. Rory is a spirited main character with a vivid imagination, and his run-ins with school life, troublesome siblings, and an unexpected elephant make for a highly entertaining read. The circus twist adds a splash of magic without drifting too far from reality, making it both funny and relatable. The illustrations complement the story well, adding an extra layer of fun. A great pick for readers aged 7–9, and all those who enjoy a bit of mischief and heart in their books
September 16, 2025
Personally, I struggled to get into this book. But when I did I was rewarded a wealth of humour. It is a story of friendship and family life. Rory, irritated by life squabbles with his sister and takes refuge within his imagination. He dreams big - how he might run away to the circus or sail away with his best friend to South America. Above all this is a story of friendship.
Thank you Hugh for writing it, to NetGalley for the advance copy and Bloomsbury Publishing UK. The views given are entirely my own, freely given.
Thank you Hugh for writing it, to NetGalley for the advance copy and Bloomsbury Publishing UK. The views given are entirely my own, freely given.
September 22, 2025
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 having 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.
Rory is a boy with dreams and a great immagination he and his friends at out having 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.
October 9, 2025
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 tries 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.
Together with his friends, Gary and Adrian Thingy, he acts out adventures, and tries 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.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews