Books all about elephants

Erica’s Elephant

Author: Sylvia Bishop Illustrator: Ashley King
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 6+
Reading age: 8+

Erica is surprised to find an elephant on her doorstep. When she invites him in, a fantastic friendship begins. This short chapter book for young readers is a delight from start to finish.

Elmer and the Bedtime Story

Author: David McKee
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 2-5

Elmer, everyone’s favourite patchwork elephant, is looking after young elephants Stella and Mel and deciding which story he should tell them at bedtime. With colourful illustrations and gentle humour, this charming tale is the perfect bedtime read.

The Elephant Road

Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Annabel Wright
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6+
Reading age: 7+

This story provides an engaging context in which much wider, complex environmental issues are explored.

The Elephant In The Room

Author: Holly Goldberg Sloan
Publisher: Piccadilly
Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 10+

Sila is lonely. But she’s not the only one and a chance encounter with an unwanted elephant and a wealthy old gentleman proves to be the start of something unexpected.

The Elephant Thief

Author: Jane Kerr
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 10-12

This is a fast-paced story, based loosely on a man's real-life journey from Edinburgh to Manchester, while riding an elephant – an event that captivated even Queen Victoria.

Bandoola: The Great Elephant Rescue

Author: William Grill
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

William Grill’s stunning depiction of a deeply inspiring story of kindness and bravery might be his best book yet. It tells the remarkable story of one of the bravest escape missions in history: a man who tried to move an entire elephant sanctuary and its workers through Myanmar and out of a war zone.

Elephant in My Kitchen!

Author: Smriti Halls Illustrator: Ella Okstad
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 4-5

A young boy is rather perturbed when he discovers an elephant in his kitchen, munching her way through the chocolate biscuits. What's she doing there and how can he get rid of her? The important environmental message of this book is delivered in an accessible manner, and children are sure to delight in the cheeky animal antics.

Have You Seen Elephant?

Author: David Barrow
Publisher: Gecko Press
Interest age: 2-5

This hilarious book - about an elephant who wants to play hide and seek - will delight children and adults with its offbeat humour and beautiful illustration.

The Girl Who Stole an Elephant

Author: Nizrana Farook
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Against the backdrop of a stunning South Asian landscape, three youngsters are on the run from the King’s guards – on an elephant! With themes of morality, friendship, teamwork and loyalty, this exciting adventure book also has lots of tension and jeopardy.