Review: Bandoola: An Elephant's Story


I first encountered the remarkable Bandoola amidst the pages of a non-fiction picture book by William Grill - Bandoola: The Great Elephant Rescue. The recount was as magnificent as the elephant himself. Bandoola by Beverley McWilliams takes my awe and appreciation of this might moment in history to another level. 

What makes this work of fiction so enthralling and thoroughly absorbing is its delivery, through the eyes, mind and heart of Bandoola himself. McWilliams uses first person presence that allows middle-grade readers to experience every fear, thought and determination that Bandoola experiences.

For those unfamiliar with the tale of this noteworthy Asian elephant, Bandoola was born in 1897 in Burma known now as Myanmar. It was the age of logging and using elephant labour to facilitate a mighty industry deep within the Burmese jungles. In the forties, just before war and unrest interrupt the customary way of life for both elephant and human, Bandoola meets Elephant Bill, aka ex war veteran James Howard Williams. Their bond is instant and almost mystical enabling them along with Bandoola's beloved keeper, Po Toke to lead over 70 elephants and a huge group of refugees over treacherous mountain ranges when they are forced to flee Burma into Northern India. It is widely recognised that if it were not for the sheer tenacity and mighty strength of spirit and faith of Bandoola, this mercy expedition might never have succeeded.

McWilliams' personification of Bandoola from plucky calf, to errant teenager determined to strike it on his own and leave his life of captivity is done so with sensitivity and generous amounts of humour and wit. Bandoola is a likeable character, endearing in many ways but also a bit of a loose cannon with strong beliefs in his own sense of worth and destiny. This higher thinking often lands him in disrepute with other handlers 'oozies' not to mention his fellow elephants and the ever present, Nats or Burmese spirits. Despite him being an elephant, his antics and emotions, his highly self-assured sense of righteousness happily resonates with tweens and young teens because beneath his leathery hide beats a heart that is pure and steadfast. Bandoola is honest and sincere to a fault.

As Bandoola matures and survives all manner of mishaps, he returns to where his affections and memories most deeply reside, within the logging camp with his handler, Po Toke. Po Toke is a lovely counterbalance to the rigours and wrongdoings of elephant labour, always striving in fact for their emancipation. It is not until Elephant Bill arrives to assume leadership of the camp that real change is possible and eventually instigated. 

Sadly, war disrupts the burgeoning peace for the elephants and the communities they are part of including the wild elephant herds. Unable to remain safely ensconced in the jungle, the decision to evacuate over 70 elephants, their handlers, families and dozens of refugees is made to save the elephants from enemy capture, exploitation or worse. 

In the dramatic climax to scale 5000 ft mountains, Bandoola's inner narrative enables readers to accompany him has he leads every beast and person to safety in such a way, it feels as though we have achieved something supremely miraculous. There's a certain awe and gratitude one feels at the end of this tale long after the exhilaration of freedom is experienced, when some 48 years later, Bandoola's tale takes another poignant and beautiful twist.

You don't need to be a lover of elephants or history or tales based on true stories to love Bandoola's adventures and become part of his remarkable life in this above pleasing book.

Title: Bandoola: An Elephant's Story
Author: Beverley McWilliams Images: Kate Jones
Publisher: UWA Publishing, $17.99
Publication Date: August 2026
Format:  Paperback
ISBN:  9781760803377
For ages: 9 - 13
Type: Middle Grade Fiction

Buy the Book:      Simon & Schuster

 

 



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