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
Is it part of a series?
No
Find an award winning book by this author here
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Teachers Notes here
Author
Illustrator
Kate Jones
Publisher
UWA Publishing (a division of University of Western Australia)
(2026, UWA Publishing, Burma, Myanmar, Historical, Animals, Elephants, Man Animal Bonds, Forest, Logging Elephants, Courage, Real Life, War, Colonial Rule, Japanese Soldiers)