(In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctiv...)
In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?
(Gracie and her friend Daniel have always been warned to s...)
Gracie and her friend Daniel have always been warned to stay away from the Birdman and his side of the island. But then they find a message in the sand and discover the Birdman is not who they thought. They build up a lovely friendship with him, but when the children get stranded on Samson Island they don’t know whether to believe the birdman’s story that the island is cursed.
(For years, Joey was a war horse, pulling ambulance carts ...)
For years, Joey was a war horse, pulling ambulance carts and artillery through the battlefields of World War I. When he finally returned home to Albert and the farm, he was treated like a hero. But his adventures had only just begun. Now, generations later, Albert's son loves to tell his own grandson stories about the remarkable horse. He tells him of Joey's feats in the war and of the time, when the family risked everything, betting, that Joey could win a daring race. As he tells the stories, he slowly reveals a shameful secret, a secret, that he's kept to himself for years.
(When Michael's father loses his job, he buys a boat and c...)
When Michael's father loses his job, he buys a boat and convinces Michael and his mother to sail around the world. It's an ideal trip - even Michael's sheepdog can come along. It starts out as the perfect family adventure - until Michael is swept overboard. He's washed up on an island, where he struggles to survive. Then, he discovers that he's not alone. His fellow-castaway, Kensuke, is wary of him. But when Michael's life is threatened, Kensuke slowly lets the boy into his world. The two develop a close understanding in this remote place, but the question of rescue continues to divide them.
(This brilliantly illustrated picture book captures the st...)
This brilliantly illustrated picture book captures the struggles of a lonely young wombat, who must safely find his way back to his mother once again after suddenly being separated from her.
(As the enemy lurks in the darkness, Thomas struggles to s...)
As the enemy lurks in the darkness, Thomas struggles to stay awake through the night. He has lived through the terror of gas attacks and watched friends die by his side. But in the morning, Thomas will be forced to confront an even greater horror. As the minutes tick by, Thomas remembers his childhood spent deep in the countryside with his mother, his brothers and Molly, the love of his life. But each minute, that passes, brings Thomas closer to something he can't bear to think about — the moment, when the war and its horrific consequences will change his life forever.
(Here are all the classic tales: the greedy dog who loses ...)
Here are all the classic tales: the greedy dog who loses his bone to his own reflection in the water; the little mouse who pays back the grand lion in a big, big way; and the shepherd's son who thinks it's a good joke to cry "Wolf!" just to see the villagers come running.
(Long ago a Scandinavian warrior fought three evils so pow...)
Long ago a Scandinavian warrior fought three evils so powerful, that they threatened whole kingdoms. Standing head and shoulders above his comrades, Beowulf single-handedly saved the land of the Danes from a merciless ogre, named Grendel and from his sea-hag mother. But it is his third terrible battle, with the death-dragon of the deep, in which he truly meets his match. Lovers of heroes, monsters, and the drama of battle will find this retelling as enthralling as it is tragic.
(When kaspar the cat first arrived at London’s Savoy Hotel...)
When kaspar the cat first arrived at London’s Savoy Hotel, it was Johnny Trott, who carried him in. After all, Johnny was a bellboy and was responsible for all of Countess Kandinsky’s things, including Kaspar. But when tragedy befalls the Countess during her stay, Kaspar becomes more than Johnny’s responsibility: Kaspar is Johnny’s new cat, and his new best friend. And when Kaspar and Johnny meet Lizziebeth, a spirited young heiress, they find themselves journeying across the Atlantic with Lizziebeth’s family on England’s newest and most magnificent ship, the Titanic. Because there is always adventure in the air with a cat like Kaspar around. After all, he’s Kaspar Kandinsky, Prince of Cats, a Londoner and a New Yorker and, as far as anyone knows, the only cat to survive the sinking of the Titanic.
(This is a beautiful story of a boy, his lost dog and the ...)
This is a beautiful story of a boy, his lost dog and the lengths he would go to be reunited. This timely story of battle-scarred Afghanistan delivers a masterful portrait of war, love and friendship.
(England, 1940. Barney’s home has been destroyed by bombin...)
England, 1940. Barney’s home has been destroyed by bombing, and he and his mother are traveling to the countryside when German planes attack. Their train is forced to take shelter in a tunnel and there, in the darkness, a stranger — a fellow passenger — begins to tell them a story about two young soldiers who came face to face in the previous war. One British, one German. Both lived, but the British soldier was haunted by the encounter once he realized who the German was: the young Adolf Hitler.
(A plucky robin, lost and alone, sets out on an epic journ...)
A plucky robin, lost and alone, sets out on an epic journey, guided only by a call in his heart, saying "come home!" He makes his wings to beat faster, lifting him over great mountains and dark forests, through blinding blizzards and rolling fog, across the wide, wild sea. Can he find his way back to his family in time for Christmas? Combined with Kerry Hyndman’s striking illustrations of the red-breasted bird against a sweeping, snowy terrain, Michael Morpurgo’s poetic narrative will stir any reader, who has ever yearned to reunite with loved ones or welcome them home.
Michael Morpurgo is a British playwright, poet and author of novels and picture books for young readers. Morpurgo blends adventure, fantasy and moral drama in his lyrical, yet always understated prose. Consistent themes for the author are the conquest of evil by good and the vindication of virtues, such as loyalty, hard work and determination. He is better known for his award winning books like "War Horse", "The Lion Butterfly" and others.
Background
Michael Morpurgo was born on October 5, 1943, in St Albans, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. He is a son of Tony Van Bridge, an actor, and Kippe Cammaerts (Catherine Noel Kippe), an actress. Michael's maternal grandfather was Émile Cammaerts, a playwright and poet.
When Michael's father was away from the family during World War II, his mother met his stepfather Jack Morpurgo, whom she would later marry. Michael didn't know, who his biological father was until he was nineteen years old, while watching the 1962 film version of "Great Expectations" with his mother, in which Tony Van Bridge appeared.
Education
In his early years, Michael studied at different schools in central London, Sussex and Kent. Also, until the age of thirteen, he attended a preparatory school, namely Mount House School, in Devon.
Later, Morpurgo studied at the King's School in Canterbury. Then, he continued his education at King's College London, graduating with a third class degree. After graduation from King's College London, Michael attended Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
On July 17, 2013, he received an honorary doctorate from Bishop Grosseteste University. On July 12, 2017, Michael attained an honorary degree from Newcastle University. Also, the author received honorary degrees from other educational establishments, including the University of Suffolk, University of London, Birmingham City University and others.
After graduation from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Michael began his teaching career, acquiring a job in a primary school in Kent. In 1968, he started to teach at St. Faith's School in Cambridge.
At the time, when Michael worked as a teacher, he narrated stories to his students and eventually, he embarked on his journey as an author. One of his inspirations in writing was poet Ted Hughes, who was also his friend, philosopher and guide. Other influences on his literary work were Paul Gallico, Ernest Hemingway and Seán Rafferty.
In 1974, Morpurgo published his first book, entitled "It Never Rained: Five Stories". The book was followed by many other books, such as "Living Poets", "Long Way from Home", "Thatcher Jones", "The Story-Teller" and others.
In 1976, Michael, together with his wife Clare, founded the charity Farms for City Children, with the primary aim of providing children from inner city areas with experience of the countryside. The programme involves the children spending a week at a countryside farm, during which they take part in purposeful farmyard work. About 85,000 children have taken part in the programme since it was set up, and the charity now has three farms in Devon, Gloucestershire and Wales.
During the period from 1977 till 1979, the author penned several books, which include "Friend or Foe", "Do All You Dare", "What Shall We Do with It?" and others.
From 1980 till 1985, he produced such books, as "The Marble Crusher and Other Stories", "The Nine Lives of Montezuma", "Miss Wirtle's Revenge", "The White Horse of Zennor: And Other Stories from below the Eagle's Nest", "War Horse", "Twist of Gold", "Little Foxes", "Why the Whales Came" and "Words of Songs".
Between 1986-1990, Michael worked prolifically, having created such books, as "Tom's Sausage Lion", "Conker", "King of the Cloud Forests", "Mossop's Last Chance" and others.
Throughout the decades that followed, the Morpurgo continued to create books, which include "Private Peaceful", "Alone on a Wilde, Wide Sea", "Beowulf’, Running Wild" and others. Many of his works were adapted into stage plays, musicals and films. For exemple, "War Horse" was adapted as a 2011 British film, directed by Steven Spielberg.
Currently, Michael is a Vice Chancellor of the "Children’s University" and the President of "Book Trust".
Michael Morpurgo is a prolific writer. Most of his novels are award winning and highly acclaimed, one of them is his best-selling children's novel "War Horse", which narrates the story of a horse, named Joey and its life during World War I. The work was adapted into a play by Nick Stafford and it also was made into a movie by Steven Spielberg. Both the paly and the movie were met with huge success.
Another renowned book of this writer is "Private Peaceful" and this book too revolves around World War I and brings forth the futility of war. The book earned many awards since its publication and was also adapted into a play and movie.
"Why the Whales Came" is another Michael's famous book.
During his lifetime, Michael received many awards, including Prix Sorcières, Hampshire Book Award, California Young Reader Medal and others. In 1999, he was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Later, in 2006, the author was advanced to Officer of the Order of the British Empire. In 2018, Morpurgo was made a Knight Bachelor of the same order.
Morpurgo became the third Children's Laureate from 2003 to 2005. Also, on April 10, 2015, Michael was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Devon.
(England, 1940. Barney’s home has been destroyed by bombin...)
2015
Politics
In August 2014, Morpurgo was one of 200 public figures, who were signatories to a letter to The Guardian, opposing Scottish independence in the run-up to September's referendum on that issue.
Also, prior to the 2015 general election, he was one of several celebrities, who endorsed the parliamentary candidacy of the Green Party's Caroline Lucas.
In 2016, Morpurgo condemned government plans to extend grammar schools as divisive. The same year, in the run up to the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, Michael supported the European Union in an interview with the BBC and reinforced this with a ten minute BBC Radio 4 "Point of View" on Sunday August 5, 2018.
Interests
Animals
Connections
Michael married Clare (Lane) Morpurgo, a philanthropist, in 1963. The woman is a daughter of Allen Lane, who founded Penguin Books. Michael and Clare gave birth to three children — Horatio Morpurgo, Rosalind Morpurgo and Sebastian Morpurgo.
Father:
Tony Van Bridge
Mother:
Kippe Cammaerts (Catherine Noel Kippe)
child:
Horatio Morpurgo
child:
Rosalind Morpurgo
child:
Sebastian Morpurgo
Grandfather:
Émile Cammaerts
stepfather:
Jack Morpurgo
Wife:
Clare (Lane) Morpurgo
father-in-law:
Allen Lane
Friend:
Ted Hughes
References
Michael Morpurgo: War Child to War Horse
This work represents a biography of Michael Morpurgo, specially edited for children, featuring seven original Morpurgo's stories.
2012
Dear Mr Morpingo: Inside the World of Michael Morpurgo
This book looks at the world of Michael Morpurgo, his childhood, how he began to write and the people, the stories and the landscapes, that have influenced his work. It examines the books themselves, drawing together common themes and encouraging the reader to read further for themselves. It also includes a section on the development of a book, answering some of those questions, that Michael is frequently asked: "where do you get your ideas from?" or "how long does it take to produce a book?".
