Roger Rides Route 66: A Fabulous New Children’s Adventure Celebrating the Centenary of the World’s Greatest Highway

Written by Pete (PJ) Phillips and charmingly brought to life by illustrator Sara Jearally, the “Roger the Elephant” stories are an adventure-packed series of children’s books which are fabulous fun for younger children – and those who look after them. Now the latest in the series “Roger Rides Route 66” joins the line-up. Released in 2026 – the centennial year of the legendary America highway Route 66 (also known as “The Mother Road”) – this exciting new tale sees Roger the Elephant set out on the world’s most famous road trip. This new book is pure wish fulfilment for adults, while building a stirring sense of adventure for young readers! So, this summer, why not jump in and get to know Roger the Elephant as he sets off on his biggest adventure yet?

The stories of Roger the Elephant and his many companions in adventure are the brainchild of writer Pete “PJ” Phillips and his friend, illustrator Sara Jearally. Dipping into any of these delightfully written and charmingly illustrated tales is a wonderful way to fuel your child’s creativity and love for reading.

Whether they are practicing their very first words, mastering spelling challenges, or splashing color onto the pages with Roger the Elephant, these books blend education with endless entertainment. They’re perfect for curious minds and active hands over the summer, while also offering the ideal focus for wind-down time with cosy bedtime stories.

This year the creative team has taken their – and Roger the Elephant’s – love of adventure to a new level, with this road trip across America with his old friend Phileas Hogg.

Synopsis:

The “Roger the Elephant” books tell the tales and adventures of Roger and the friends he met as he travelled the world as the most famous circus elephant. Animals love performing for people but over the years people have realised maybe circus animals can have more fun in the wild with their friends and family So, all the circus animals like Roger are now retired from the circus.

Roger now spends his time spinning his antique globe to decide where to go and travelling around the world visiting the old friends he previously made and getting up to all sorts of mischief.

In this just-published adventure, Roger teams up with his old pal Phileas Hogg to travel the great American Highway Route 66. The book has been endorsed as part of the Route 66 centenary celebrations.

“The world of “Roger the Elephant” grew from my own desire for travel and adventure,” explains Roger’s creator, author PJ Phillips. “When planning a motorbike trip to Turkey with my friend and illustrator Sara Jearally, we created an imaginary friend to accompany me, and so we met Roger the Elephant. At the time we were creating a YouTube channel for the trip – “The Unconventional Retiree”- but soon Roger’s concept started to grow!”

He continues: “Roger the Elephant – “The World’s Most Famous Circus Elephant” (now retired) – will be an ongoing series of children’s picture books. We are releasing them first self- published via our publishing company Wondrous Books. But Bumblebee Books have the rights to two other books – “Roger Goes Home” and “Roger Visits Father Christmas” – both of which should be released this year.”

Pete and Sara are also delighted that their new book “Roger Rides Route 66 with Phileas Hogg” has been certified by the Route 66 Centennial Committee as part of the official one hundred years of Route 66 celebrations this year.

PJ and Sara have big plans for the “Roger the Elephant” series, and interest from some exciting directions: “We are also working with a TV producer Bryan Taw via Voyage Media based in LA to create a “Roger the Elephant” children’s TV show but obviously at present we are looking to promote the books first and foremost. We have also released three colouring-in and spelling books and “Roger the Elephant’s Little Book of Fun Facts” as all our books will have a page of Fun Facts for children to enjoy.”

Early reviews for “Roger the Elephant “have been hugely positive – here’s a small selection of the praise:

….”A fabulous fun activity book. the kids love talking about the pictures and we encourage them to describe the pictures to us and then they colour them independently and are focused and engaged, the pictures are well chosen to provide many changes of colour to encourage bright and eye-catching results – a great buy.”

….”A charming colouring book with lovely illustrations and with the bonus of alphabet learning. Have seen some of the YouTube videos on Roger and kids love them so was good to find this in print. Great purchase!”

“Roger The Elephant Rides Route 66 with Phileas Hogg” is available now, click here to purchase: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1919068023

Young readers can follow along with “Roger the Elephant’ adventures here:

linktr.ee/rogercircuselephant

About the Author:

Pete Phillips was brought up in a small village in Scotland called Crossford close to Lanark. He always dreamed of traveling the world but says, “I never thought I would get to travel to over 40 countries.”

After turning 60, Pete decided an adventure was in order: “I bought a Voge R125 and learned to ride 4- four months later I was taking my A1 bike test on a 650. Two weeks later and two tests passed I bought my Voge DS900x and named her Jazzy Kasi. A month of learning to ride Kasi and I was ready to ride to Turkey!” he explains. “Fast forward I have been to Turkey and back and now Roger the Elephant has become a children’s picture book series.”