Published Today: AN ELEPHANT FOR THE EMPEROR – Saviour Pirotta

Saviour Pirotta’s latest thrilling adventure is now available for purchase!

Set in the Golden Age of Islam, AN ELEPHANT FOR THE EMPEROR follows our three heroes Farouk, Hudayn, and Abul on an epic quest from Damascus to Aachen. Facing pirates, sea storms, bandits and more, AN ELEPHANT FOR THE EMPEROR is both a extraordinary tale of courage and friendship, and an exploration of the world of the Islamic Golden Age perfect for KS2 classrooms.

In a blog post written for Heath Books, Saviour gives a guide to using the novel in a classroom setting for KS2 teachers. To inspire discussion and learning, classes could discuss the technology of the time, the comparison of Islamic and Christian culture, and modern perceptions of the Middle East among many other rich topics explored in the books.

Saviour also talks about the inspirations in his own childhood from his grandmothers cooking at home. This inspiration has developed over the years and culminated in his incredible novels THE GOLDEN HORSEMAN OF BAGHDAD and AN ELEPHANT FOR THE EMPEROR. These novels introduce young readers to the history of the ancient world and the culture of the Abbasid Caliphate, while being excellent research and discovery springboards for KS2 teachers.

Both are published by Bloomsbury Education, and you can purchase your copy here: An Elephant for the Emperor: Saviour Pirotta: Bloomsbury Education – Bloomsbury

Read more here and buy from the links below.

Waterstones link: An Elephant for the Emperor by Saviour Pirotta | Waterstones

Amazon link: An Elephant for the Emperor : Pirotta, Saviour: Amazon.co.uk: Books

See their Instagram for a collaboration announcement with Saviour Pirotta: Instagram

Written by Victoria Shipton for Paper Lion Ltd, 2026