I couldn’t stop reading it. 5 stars - Noah, aged 9

A laugh-out-loud new adventure from Paddington star Hugh Bonneville, perfect for fans of the real-world mischief, relatable characters and short episodic stories of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Horrid Henry and Just William, and filled with brilliantly funny illustrations from Loretta Schauer.

Rory Sparkes can’t stand his red hair, freckles and being unusually tall, because all he’s ever wanted is to fit in.

Donna loves being loud, charging around and starting water fights. Donna is terrible at fitting in.

That’s probably because she is an elephant!

When Donna and the circus stomp into Rory’s life, they bring him more attention than ever.

But maybe their chaos, noise and friendship is actually exactly what he needs?

Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room is heart-warming and very funny. I couldn’t stop reading it. 5 stars * Noah, aged 9 *
Hilarious, exciting and original. 10/10 * Mabel, aged 9 *
Funny, fizzy and exciting. 9/10 * Etty, aged 8 *
I really liked Rory Sparkes. I was unable to put it down and it was on of the best books I have read in my life. It's amazing, exciting and hilarious. * Elspeth, aged 9 *

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.