By Hugh Bonneville (author) , Loretta Schauer (illustrator)
"Hugh Bonneville’s debut children’s book charms."
Paperback In Stock £8.99 £8.09
Hardback In Stock £14.99 £13.49
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October 2025 Book of the Month
Hugh Bonneville draws on his own childhood adventures as inspiration for his debut children’s book, and very charming it is too.
His alter ego, Rory Sparkes, is a boy with the kind of aspirations that will be familiar to most young readers. He wants to help his best friend save up (for a model oil tanker) and he really wants to get one over on his extremely annoying big sister Clare.
Whether Hugh’s childhood included making friends with young members of a travelling circus, including its elephant, and then engaging said elephant in his friend’s fundraising efforts, we may never know for sure, but either way, it makes for some wonderful episodes in the book, as does the children’s friendship with an old lady, whose memories of her Spitfire-flying fiancé inspire them all.
The mix of surreal comedy (trapeze artist window washing) and gentle observational humour works well, and the 70s themed period detail add to the appeal.
Buckle up for the adventure of a lifetime in the hilarious first children's book from Paddington star, Hugh Bonneville.
Read the full description
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.
Just like Rory Sparkes, Hugh Bonneville grew up and went to primary school in South East London. Later on, he studied Theology at the University of Cambridge and became a professional actor in 1985. His career has spanned radio, television, film and stage, including highly acclaimed appearances in David Walliams's Mr Stink and the voice of Santa in Stick Man , as well as Downton Abbey and the Paddington films. Now grown up and verging on ancient, Hugh would like to make it clear that he loves his sister very much. Even when she sings.
Photo credit Heidi Kadlecova
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The hilarious Hugh Bonneville has written a masterpiece that will have you laughing out loud on the edge of your seat.
This book is a must-read for kids who want a laugh-out-loud.
An extremely funny story about a boy called Rory Sparkes who lives with his boring sister Clare, and ends up helping a girl from the circus called Evie with a giant elephant that she took into school. Together, all 3 caused much havoc in the school when Donna the elephant pooed in the classroom and the headteacher fell into it. Rory does not like going to school, and with meeting Evie, he starts to realise there is more to life than just school- he could become a strongman in the circus or even a cowboy, anything.
The book kept getting better, and I enjoyed reading it. My favourite part was when the Headteacher fainted and fell in the poo, I laughed out loud.... Read Full Review
This story is about a young boy called Rory, who has lots of fun with his friends. If you like books which are funny with a lot of drama and great illustrations, you’ll like this too!
This is the first book in a new series of exciting adventures about Rory Sparkes and his friends. This story is about the life of a young boy called Rory, who lives in London and has lots of fun with his friends, Evie, Donna, Flick, Fliss, Guy and Adrian. It was very funny and I couldn't put it down.
My favourite part was the window cleaning act. I loved this part because the acrobatic swings, twists and turns are in sync. The illustration in the book and the picture in your head from the writing look beautiful.
The only part I didn’t like was that we don’t stay at the school to find out more details of what happens during the arm wrestle.
My favourite character was Donna because she is very funny.... Read Full Review
It was exciting full of fun and I hope other children enjoy it too.
This was an adventurous and exciting book, I thought it was full of friendship, at times showing that even when there are unkind things you can overcome them, Rory did and he became confident.... Read Full Review
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.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-10 years old
Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room features in the following genres: Featured Books for 7+ readers, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Books of the Month, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Adventure Stories, Romance / Relationship Stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Friendship stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback, Hardback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room was written by Hugh Bonneville and published by Bloomsbury Children's Books an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)
Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room has 260 pages
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
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