I always think its the measure of a really wonderful childrens book if adults enjoy it too and, for me, michael morpurgos books pass this test with flying colours. Michael morpurgo is one of britains bestloved childrens book writers. He has written more than 150 novels and won many prizes, including the smarties prize, the whitbread award and the blue peter book award, while several of his books have been adapted for stage and screen, including the global theatrical phenomenon war horse. My favourite book is kaspar prince of cats by michael morpurgo. Read download michael morpurgo stories pdf pdf book library. Sir michael andrew bridge morpurgo, obe, dl, frsl, fkc born michael andrew bridge. Michael morpurgo books, biography, facts, quotes, book. Morpurgos writing career was inspired by ted hughes poetry in the making, paul gallicos the snow goose and ernest. He has played a crucial role in developing children books which have seen him being awarded numerous awards among them the smarties prize, blue peter award and also the writers guild award. His work is noted for its magical storytelling, for recurring themes such as the triumph of an outsider or survival, for characters relationships with nature, and for. As the uk marks remembrance day, war horse author michael morpurgo tells official london theatre how he came to write the world war i drama, why he thinks the stage adaptation has been so successful and why it is important that children understand the effects of war. He has written more than forty books for children, including the global hit war horse, which was made into a hollywood film by steven spielberg in 2011. Michael morpurgo s top 10 favourite books michael morpurgo has written over 60 books for children, including the wreck of the zanzibar, dear olly, why the whales came and my friend walter. Michael morpurgo has written more than one hundred books and won the whitbread award, the smarties award, the circle of gold award, the childrens book award and has been shortlisted for the carnegie medal four times.
He went on to play more than 100 games for northampton town, and. Michael morpurgo has written more than 100 books, a mixture of novels, picture books, chapter books and collections of short stories. Therefore i was interested to see one of my favourite writers michael morpurgo had written his own version i was excited. Specially commissioned by michael morpurgo to mark the 60th anniversary of ve day, this deeply moving collection features stories of war from the most wellloved voices in childrens literature, including michelle magorian, celia rees, george layton, robert westall, joan aiken, eva ibbotson, geraldine mccaughrean and other top childrens authors. Michael morpurgo is a literary and childrens fiction author. His books have been adapted for the cinema, tv and theatre and he has won numerous awards including childrens book award, whitbred childrens book award and. Click here to see the books that inspired his writing, or scroll down to see books written by michael. Michael morpurgo is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. Interview with michael morpurgo scholastic kids club. He received an obe in december 2006 for his services to literature. Michael morpurgo has written over 60 books for children, including the wreck of the zanzibar, dear olly, why the whales came and my friend walter. The butterfly lion or kensukes kingdom or war horse or. Michael morpurgo has written some of my favourite stories private peaceful, alone on a wide, wide sea, and shadow. In fact, morpurgos has been a life of many careers including some time in the army, heading up a charity and for many years working as a teacher where.
Again another great book by michael morpurgo for children goes into some very complex issues, and comes out of it explaining them well. Michael now lives in devon and has written more than books. He s had plenty of practice, with 120 books to his name since he started writing in 1974. After graduating from university, michael became a primary school teacher in kent. What was micheal morpurgos favourite book he wrote answers. Michael morpurgo talks about his new book flamingo boy, why its important to write stories about war for children, and why he chose to write. He has written more than 100 books and has won the smarties prize, the whitbread award, and most recently the blue peter book award for private peaceful. A heartwarming short story set on a farm from michael morpurgo, the nations favourite childrens author, with stunning illustrations from quentin blake. Tragic, surprising and engaging in equal measures, morpurgo s novel charts both the childhood of young thomas peaceful in the early years of the 20th century, and his eventual underage enlistment in the british army to help fight the first world war. He became a primary school teacher in kent after graduating from the university of london. Michael mopurgo, author of war horse, recalls some favourite books.
A stunning new story of hope, humanity and highseas adventure for children and adults everywhere from sir michael morpurgo, the nations favourite storyteller and multimillion copy bestselling author of war horse. He also doesnt work from a desk, instead choosing to write sitting on his bed, propped up with pillows. Last week, our social media fans submitted their questions for war horse author michael morpurgo, read on to discover his writing inspirations and thoughts on the play. His books have been adapted for the cinema, tv and theatre and he has won numerous awards including childrens book award, whitbred childrens book award and the smarties prize. Last week, our social media fans submitted their questions for war horse author michael morpurgo, read on to discover his writing inspirations and thoughts on the play q.
Living in devon, listening to mozart, and working with children has been the main things that inspire his ideas for. Michael morpurgo frames his powerful message about protecting the environment in this beautiful personal story about a grandpas wish for his granddaughter to live in a better world. Or for books about war, have a look at a medal for leroy, inspired by the story of walter tull, the first black officer in the british army who was killed in the first world war. Born in 1943, he attended schools in london, sussex and cantubury one of them was horrible enough to inspire him to describe it in one of his books, butterfly lion. Farm boy, billy the kid, arthur, high king of britain. Robert louis stevenson, rudyard kipling and ted hughes. Author michael mopurgo tells how he became a writer by accident, after telling stories to his class when he.
In addition, has won the whitbread award, the smarties prize, and has been shortlisted for the carnegie medal. Walter was the grandson of a slave and raised in an orphanage, but he played for tottenham hotspur. Michael morpurgo on how he became a writer and storyteller. This vital and timely story is paired with jim fields emotive illustrations in this gorgeous christmas picture book, perfect for the whole family to share.
Discover some more information about michael morpurgos writing methods. Michael morpurgo has written over 100 books for children, from picture books for. Michael morpurgo has returned to the topic of world war one. Michael morpurgo has written over 100 books for children, from picture books for younger children to novels aimed at young teenagers. The book im reading the odyssey, a new translation by emily. Here is one of my favourite michael morpurgo books. Michael morpurgo obe is one of britains bestloved writers for children, and has sold more than 35 million books around the world. His favorite animal is the elephant and he enjoys reading.
Michael morpurgo is the most solid, classical of childrens authors. It draws the reader in to the story and its a dont put down book until read, again brought for my daughter who likes to read on long journeys or while in the car. Flamingo boy tells the story of lorenzo, a young boy who has autism and is living through the upheaval of world war two. Jan 12, 2010 find out answers to michael mopurgos most asked questions including are the stories true.
Awardwinning author michael morpurgo was writerinresidence at the savoy hotel during 2007. Master storyteller michael morpurgo has written over 100 books for children, and has won a. Although they were not formally adopted, morpurgo and his brother took on their stepfathers name. A heartwarming short story set on a farm from master.
Browse author series lists, sequels, pseudonyms, synopses, book covers, ratings and awards. Master storyteller michael morpurgo has written over 100 books for children, and has won a multitude of awards as well as serving as childrens laureate from 20032005. There is the national theatre production war horse, still touring the globe and its. The rattle bag edited by seamus heaney and ted hughes 2. Some of his notable books include the lion butterfly, private peaceful, and war horse. Michael morpurgo coming from a family of actors, bestselling childrens author michael morpurgo likes to joke that were it not for a twist of fate he could have been the next george clooney. Michael morpurgo is a uk native who knows how to interact with youngsters through writing. Check out his website for more information, or learn about how michael morpurgo writes his books. Author michael mopurgo tells how he became a writer by accident, after telling stories to his class when he was a teacher. Organised by michael morpurgos publisher, it is a chance to highlight the many wonderful stories that michael has written.
Morpurgo, now aged 70, is gentle and polite and has an avuncular manner that delights in telling a story. Michael morpurgo has all the trappings befitting a prolific, bestselling and beloved childrens author. Flamingo boy tells the story of lorenzo, a young boy who has autism and is. Michael morpurgo has written over 90 books and has an unparalleled reputation in the world of childrens books. He also started a charity with his wife in 1976 called farms for city. Later michael joined the army but decided it wasnt for him and become a teacher instead, where he says i ran out of. Michael morpurgos top 10 favourite books culture the. Michael morpurgo, who has written several classic childrens books, is one of the most wellloved childrens authors. Nov 10, 2007 michael morpurgo, who has written several classic childrens books, is one of the most wellloved childrens authors.
Michael morpurgo is known as an author, poet, playwright, and librettist. Apr, 2003 michael morpurgo has written over 60 books for children, including the wreck of the zanzibar, dear olly, why the whales came and my friend walter. His 100th book, private peaceful, was first published in 2003 and was adapted into a play in 2004 which was later revived in 2014. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. The inspiration for war horse came from the place that i live, in the middle of devon, in the village in which it is set, and. Booktrusts president sir michael morpurgo is back with a beautiful new book. Michael morpurgo is one of the most successful childrens authors in the country, loved by children, teachers and parents alike. The snowman is a christmas classic and deservedly so. Michael morpurgo was our guest editor in june 2010. Michael morpurgo biography, life, interesting facts.
Sir michael andrew bridge morpurgo, obe, frsl, fkc is an english book author, poet. He picks his own favourite books written for young people. Longer novels from childrens laureate michael morpurgo are always a particular treat, and private peaceful is no exception. Michael morpurgos favourite childrens books five books.
Michael morpurgos childrens novels long way home friend or foe nine lives of montezuma miss wirtles revenge twist of gold little foxes why the whales came toms. Michael morpurgo is, in his own words, oldish, married with three children, and a grandfather six times over. Tragic, surprising and engaging in equal measures, morpurgos novel charts both the childhood of young thomas peaceful in the early years of the 20th century, and his eventual underage enlistment in the british army to help fight the first world war. Robert louis stephens and my favourite book was treasure island what annoys me is that he wrote it first but. War horse author michael morpurgo on his influences the. Beautifully illustrated by michael foreman, this is a fantastic story for 7 to 11yearolds. He is a threetime winner of the prix sorciere in france and has twice won the red house childrens book award in england. Find out answers to michael mopurgos most asked questions including are the stories true. Sep, 2019 michael morpurgo has all the trappings befitting a prolific, bestselling and beloved childrens author. Michael morpurgo audio books, best sellers, author bio. He was my favourite when i was nine, and he still is now.
Sir michael andrew bridge morpurgo, obe, frsl, fkc born michael andrew bridge. His work is noted for its magical storytelling, for recurring themes such as the triumph of an outsider or survival. Jan 26, 2010 michael morpurgo on how he became a writer and storyteller. In an interview for the guardian newspaper in april 2003, michael morpurgo gave his top ten favorite books as. When hero, a bombsniffing spaniel, goes missing in the middle of wartorn afghanistan, his soldierowner is devastated. For example, he s written several books set during world war i and others set during world war ii, war horse being probably the bestknown book.
Born in st albans, hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to cumberland during the last years of the war, then returned to london, moving later to essex. The original story by raymond briggs and the tv adaptation has cemented this story as a classic. This was a man who had been there with horses, had walked the mud and had suffered along with so many of his comrades. Nov 09, 2009 the inspiration for war horse came from the place that i live, in the middle of devon, in the village in which it is set, and from an old man who had been to the first world war. Michael morpurgo was born on 5th october 1943 in st albans, hertfordshire. Michael morpurgo teams up with bestselling illustrator jim field in this stunning christmas picture book. Every christmas mia and her family read a letter which her grandpa wrote to her. He is also the author of war horse, which has been made into a tony awardwinning broadway play and a golden globe. Dec 05, 2016 organised by michael morpurgos publisher, it is a chance to highlight the many wonderful stories that michael has written. A stunning and moving new novel from michael morpurgo, the nations favourite storyteller featuring the bravest dog in all the world. He has won many literary awards and is the author of books such as war horse and private peaceful.