Bandoola: The Great Elephant Rescue
on Goodreads (129)
What’s inside...
In this tale, join war veteran James Howard Williams as he encounters Bandoola, a working Asian elephant for the first time. Working together on a teak plantation, the two develop a rare friendship, which even today sets standards around elephant care and conservation. But when another war forces them to leave their home in the Burmese jungle, the two undertake a journey that will test their friendship, taking trust, understanding, and bravery to the very limit. Together, they lead a group of refugees and over 70 elephants to safety, scaling 5000 ft mountains as they cross the border from Burma into northern India.
Age
8-12
Length
80 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
James Howard 'Elephant Bill' Williams
Bandoola
Discussion points
What did you learn about elephants and their environment from Bandoola’s story?
How did the relationship between the humans and elephants change throughout the book?
What qualities make Bandoola a hero in the story? Can you think of someone you consider a hero?
Why is teamwork important in achieving goals, based on the rescue mission?
How did the story make you feel about wildlife conservation?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the story of Bandoola to life, adjusting your tone to match the mood of different scenes.
Encourage your child to imagine being part of the story, asking questions like 'What would you do if you were there?'
After reading, spend some time together looking up more information about elephants and their habitats to enhance learning.
Connect the story’s themes to personal experiences by discussing times when teamwork was essential in your family’s life.
Highlight the moral lessons about bravery, leadership, and compassion, asking your child how they can apply these in their daily life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In the story, people work together to rescue elephants, showcasing the strength of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by collaborating with peers on group projects or team sports, learning that collective effort often leads to success.
Example Lesson: Resilience and Determination
Explanation: The characters in the book face various challenges during the rescue mission, yet their determination leads them to persevere and succeed.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of persistence in overcoming obstacles, whether in solving a difficult puzzle, improving in a sport, or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Kindness
Explanation: The story highlights the compassionate efforts of humans to save animals in distress, emphasizing the value of caring for other living beings.
Real-World Application: Children can practice empathy by caring for pets, helping friends or family in need, or through acts of kindness towards animals and nature.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters come across various problems that they need to solve creatively to rescue the elephants.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children think creatively in their daily problems, be it in schoolwork or in interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: Conservation and Environmental Awareness
Explanation: By focusing on the rescue of elephants, the book promotes awareness about wildlife conservation and the impacts of human activities on nature.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of protecting the environment, encouraging them to partake in recycling, conservation projects, and informing others about the importance of sustainability.