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Bandoola
Deep in the forests of Burma, an elephant calf named Bandoola is in trouble – again.
Curious and headstrong, Bandoola can’t seem to avoid mischief. Po Toke, the man who raised him, believes he will become a great logging elephant one day. But Bandoola doesn’t want to spend his life hauling logs.
He dreams of freedom and adventure.
When war sweeps across Burma and the Japanese advance into the forests, Bandoola must become the elephant Po Toke always believed in. With hope almost gone, he leads a group of elephants and refugees on a treacherous journey across the mountains to safety.
Inspired by true events, Bandoola is a story of courage, friendship, and the extraordinary bond between people and animals.
Curious and headstrong, Bandoola can’t seem to avoid mischief. Po Toke, the man who raised him, believes he will become a great logging elephant one day. But Bandoola doesn’t want to spend his life hauling logs.
He dreams of freedom and adventure.
When war sweeps across Burma and the Japanese advance into the forests, Bandoola must become the elephant Po Toke always believed in. With hope almost gone, he leads a group of elephants and refugees on a treacherous journey across the mountains to safety.
Inspired by true events, Bandoola is a story of courage, friendship, and the extraordinary bond between people and animals.
307 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 26
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 13, 2026
Beverley McWilliams’ story of Bandoola was inspired by the true story of Bandoola the elephant who, together with James Williams (Elephant Bill), led over 200 people through the jungles of Burma to safety during WWII.
Beverley McWilliams brings history to life for young readers, and the story being narrated by Bandoola himself is truly innovative, bringing a whole new perspective to this moment in history.
Written on a level for Middle Grade readers we see the humane side of keeping elephants in captivity
McWilliams brings historical events to life in a way that will captivate young readers. There is plenty of humour, mishaps, danger and adventure.
The bond between man and elephant is powerful and moving.
Bandoola is a story young readers will want to read over and over.
Read my full review at: https://littlesquirrelsbookshelf.blog...
Beverley McWilliams brings history to life for young readers, and the story being narrated by Bandoola himself is truly innovative, bringing a whole new perspective to this moment in history.
Written on a level for Middle Grade readers we see the humane side of keeping elephants in captivity
McWilliams brings historical events to life in a way that will captivate young readers. There is plenty of humour, mishaps, danger and adventure.
The bond between man and elephant is powerful and moving.
Bandoola is a story young readers will want to read over and over.
Read my full review at: https://littlesquirrelsbookshelf.blog...
August 17, 2026
This is a warm and engaging story, all told from the perspective of Bandoola himself, with beautiful illustrations throughout.
We first meet him as a calf with his mother who works for the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation hauling teak in the forest.
Over the years he gets into lots of mischief, before maturing into the lead elephant of the logging camp, and later the first elephant of the Elephant Company of the Royal Indian Engineers in World War II.
The climax of the story is the evacuation to India of 53 elephants and over 200 refugees, fleeing the encroaching Japanese army. Bandoola demonstrates his strength and courage by leading the way up a dangerous cliff — an amazing true historical event.
Bandoola is a wonderful character with a cheeky sense of humour and loyalty to his friends, demonstrating elephants’ extreme intelligence and strong social relationships.
This makes it hard to read about the past practice of elephant capture, including hobbling and training.
However, it is offset by the respect and affection of real historical figures in Bandoola's life. Po Toke (Bandoola's oozie / handler) wanted to stop the capture of wild elephants, and ‘Elephant Bill’ was known for his bond with the animals under his care.
From stealing tasty mangoes to cheering up tired evacuees, Bandoola’s huge personality makes this book a joy to read and brings history to life.
***
This book was gifted to me by the publisher.
We first meet him as a calf with his mother who works for the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation hauling teak in the forest.
Over the years he gets into lots of mischief, before maturing into the lead elephant of the logging camp, and later the first elephant of the Elephant Company of the Royal Indian Engineers in World War II.
The climax of the story is the evacuation to India of 53 elephants and over 200 refugees, fleeing the encroaching Japanese army. Bandoola demonstrates his strength and courage by leading the way up a dangerous cliff — an amazing true historical event.
Bandoola is a wonderful character with a cheeky sense of humour and loyalty to his friends, demonstrating elephants’ extreme intelligence and strong social relationships.
This makes it hard to read about the past practice of elephant capture, including hobbling and training.
However, it is offset by the respect and affection of real historical figures in Bandoola's life. Po Toke (Bandoola's oozie / handler) wanted to stop the capture of wild elephants, and ‘Elephant Bill’ was known for his bond with the animals under his care.
From stealing tasty mangoes to cheering up tired evacuees, Bandoola’s huge personality makes this book a joy to read and brings history to life.
***
This book was gifted to me by the publisher.
September 7, 2026
What is Bandoola about?
A young elephant is born in the late 19th century in Burma. As he grows, learns and meets humans as special as himself, they experience the hard logging work of the forest, kindnesses and then heartbreaking war against the Japanese.
This story based on true events shows a remarkable animal-human bond saving hundreds of lives, of both elephant and people.
Plot summary of Bandoola (No Spoilers)
A young elephant named Bandoola grows up alongside his mother under the care of their oozie, Po Toke. Po Toke doesn’t use the traditional methods of training young elephants to be logging elephants – letting Bandoola learn from his mother.
Bandoola is clever but mischievous in their camp and out with his mother while she works, giving him a bad reputation. Soon he makes such a terrible mistake, he runs away.
Po Toke still believes in him, and as Bandoola grows he meets another kind and caring human named Elephant Bill. This man cares for both elephant and oozie and together they must face the coming war with the invading Japanese.
Review
Reading a story in the point of view of an elephant is a real treat. Not only is it based on a true story, it is full of humour, danger and courage.
From Bandoola’s time as a young calf following his mother in the forest, to when he becomes the elephant to call on when there’s trouble, the setting descriptions and elephant behaviours are rich with authenticity.
This has been achieved by the author living with a tribe whose daily life is enrichened by elephants, and observing the extraordinary interactions between animal and human.
From the author of the award winning Spies in the Sky, Bandoola is an engaging tale of animal-human trust, whilst sharing another part of World War II that most young readers will know little about.
Animal lovers, and those who enjoy a captivating historical read, will enjoy Bandoola just as much as I did.
Book Style
303 pages / 35 Chapters in 4 parts – 1897-1902, 1931, 1941, 1944
Includes a glossary and Author’s Note / Illustrations are sprinkled through the novel.
FAQ’s
What age is it for?
8+
Where & When is it set?
Burma (Now Myanmar) / 1897 – 1944
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
1st person from an elephant’s POV / Past tense
What genre is Bandoola?
Illustrated Middle-Grade Historical Fiction
Themes
Animals / Historical / War / Courage
A young elephant is born in the late 19th century in Burma. As he grows, learns and meets humans as special as himself, they experience the hard logging work of the forest, kindnesses and then heartbreaking war against the Japanese.
This story based on true events shows a remarkable animal-human bond saving hundreds of lives, of both elephant and people.
Plot summary of Bandoola (No Spoilers)
A young elephant named Bandoola grows up alongside his mother under the care of their oozie, Po Toke. Po Toke doesn’t use the traditional methods of training young elephants to be logging elephants – letting Bandoola learn from his mother.
Bandoola is clever but mischievous in their camp and out with his mother while she works, giving him a bad reputation. Soon he makes such a terrible mistake, he runs away.
Po Toke still believes in him, and as Bandoola grows he meets another kind and caring human named Elephant Bill. This man cares for both elephant and oozie and together they must face the coming war with the invading Japanese.
Review
Reading a story in the point of view of an elephant is a real treat. Not only is it based on a true story, it is full of humour, danger and courage.
From Bandoola’s time as a young calf following his mother in the forest, to when he becomes the elephant to call on when there’s trouble, the setting descriptions and elephant behaviours are rich with authenticity.
This has been achieved by the author living with a tribe whose daily life is enrichened by elephants, and observing the extraordinary interactions between animal and human.
From the author of the award winning Spies in the Sky, Bandoola is an engaging tale of animal-human trust, whilst sharing another part of World War II that most young readers will know little about.
Animal lovers, and those who enjoy a captivating historical read, will enjoy Bandoola just as much as I did.
Book Style
303 pages / 35 Chapters in 4 parts – 1897-1902, 1931, 1941, 1944
Includes a glossary and Author’s Note / Illustrations are sprinkled through the novel.
FAQ’s
What age is it for?
8+
Where & When is it set?
Burma (Now Myanmar) / 1897 – 1944
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
1st person from an elephant’s POV / Past tense
What genre is Bandoola?
Illustrated Middle-Grade Historical Fiction
Themes
Animals / Historical / War / Courage
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews