Michael Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo

Much-loved and prolific children's author ...

Michael Morpurgo is, in his own words,"oldish, married with three children, and a grandfather six times over." Born in 1943, he attended schools in London, Sussex and Canterbury (one at least of which was horrible enough to inspire him to describe it obliquely in The Butterfly Lion). He went on to London University to study English and French, followed by a step into the teaching profession and a job in a primary school in Kent. It was there that he discovered what he wanted to do.

"We had to read the children a story every day and my lot were bored by the book I was reading. I decided I had to do something and told them the kind of story I used to tell my kids - it was like a soap opera, and they focused on it. I could see there was magic in it for them, and realised there was magic in it for me."

Living in Devon, listening to Mozart, and working with children have provided most of the stimulae Michael needs to discover and write his stories. He spends about half his life mucking out sheds with the children, feeding sheep or milking cows; the other half he spends dreaming up and writing stories. "For me, the greater part of writing is daydreaming, dreaming the dream of my story until it hatches out - the writing down of it I always find hard. But I love finishing it, then holding the book in my hand and sharing my dream with my readers."

Fact file

Name: Michael Morpurgo

Education: University of London

Date of birth: 5.10.1943

Place of birth: St Albans

Current home: Devon

Similar authors: Robert Westall, Dick King Smith, Julia Golding, Eva Ibbotson

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An Elephant in the Garden

An Elephant in the Garden

Paperback

A thrilling and moving novel about an extraordinary animal caught up in a very human war, for anyone who loved The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips or The Butterfly Lion! By the award-winning former Children's Laureate and author of War Horse....
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Books, eBooks and Audiobooks from Michael Morpurgo

Shadow

Shadow

by Michael Morpurgo

Format: Paperback 288 pages
Published: 30/09/2010
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

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Shadow

Shadow

by Michael Morpurgo, et al.

Format: Audio CD
Published: 30/09/2010
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

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Shadow

Shadow

by Michael Morpurgo, et al.

Format: Audio CD
Published: 30/09/2010
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

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An Elephant in the Garden

An Elephant in the Garden

by Michael Morpurgo

Format: Paperback 240 pages
Published: 09/06/2011
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

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4 out of 5

A thrilling and moving novel about an extraordinary animal caught up in a very human war, for anyone who loved The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips or... Read more

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An Elephant in the Garden

An Elephant in the Garden

by Michael Morpurgo, et al.

Format: Audio CD
Published: 27/05/2010
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

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A thrilling and moving new audiobook about an extraordinary animal caught up in a very human war, for anyone who loved The Amazing Story of Adolphus... Read more

£10.00

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Running Wild

Running Wild

by Michael Morpurgo

Format: Paperback 352 pages
Published: 27/05/2010
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

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4 out of 5

The epic and heart-rending jungle adventure from the nation's favourite storyteller, now available in paperback. For Will and his mother, going... Read more

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Running Wild

Running Wild

by Michael Morpurgo, et al.

Format: Audio CD
Published: 03/09/2009
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

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An epic and heart-rending jungle adventure from the bestselling author of Kaspar and Born to Run. For Will and his mother, going to Indonesia... Read more

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Pigs Might Fly! - Mudpuddle Farm

Pigs Might Fly! - Mudpuddle Farm

by Michael Morpurgo, et al.

Format: Paperback 128 pages
Published: 03/03/2008
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

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A charming series of adventures for younger readers, featuring a family of all sorts of animals that live in the farmyard behind the tumble-down... Read more

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Cock-A-Doodle-Do - Mudpuddle Farm

Cock-A-Doodle-Do - Mudpuddle Farm

by Michael Morpurgo, et al.

Format: Paperback 128 pages
Published: 03/03/2008
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

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A charming series of adventures for younger readers, featuring a family of all sorts of animals that live in the farmyard behind the tumble-down... Read more

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War Horse

War Horse

by Michael Morpurgo

Format: Paperback 192 pages
Published: 04/09/2006
Publisher: Egmont Books Ltd

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5 out of 5

From master storyteller, Michael Morpurgo comes an incredibly moving story about one horse's experience in the deadly chaos of the first world... Read more

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War Horse

War Horse

by Michael Morpurgo, et al.

Format: Audio CD
Published: 07/01/2010
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

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At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. He's soon caught up in... Read more

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Kensuke's Kingdom

Kensuke's Kingdom

by Michael Morpurgo

Format: Paperback 176 pages
Published: 03/10/2005
Publisher: Egmont Books Ltd

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4 out of 5

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4 out of 5

Michael's parents buy a yacht, and take him off to sail round the world. Washed overboard in a fierce storm, Michael finds himself on the shore... Read more

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Toro! Toro!

Toro! Toro!

by Michael Morpurgo, et al.

Format: Paperback 128 pages
Published: 07/05/2002
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

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Best-selling author Michael Morpurgo turns his storytelling skills to the drama and tragedy of the Spanish Civil War, illustrated by Michael... Read more

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Toro! Toro! (eBook)

Toro! Toro! (eBook)

by Michael Morpurgo, et al.

Format: eBook
Published: 08/07/2010
Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks

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Discover the beautiful stories of Michael Morpurgo, author of Warhorse and the nation's favourite storyteller

Best-selling author... Read more

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The Butterfly Lion

The Butterfly Lion

by Michael Morpurgo, et al.

Format: Paperback 128 pages
Published: 07/05/1996
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

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4 out of 5

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4 out of 5

ILLUSTRATED BY CHRISTIAN BIRMINGHAM. A lyrical and moving tale of a young boy growing up in Africa, and his lifelong friendship with a white lion. ... Read more

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Private Peaceful

Private Peaceful

by Michael Morpurgo

Format: Paperback 192 pages
Published: 29/05/2004
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

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4 out of 5

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4 out of 5

Heroism or cowardice? A stunning story of the First World War from a master storyteller. Told in the voice of a young soldier, the story follows 24... Read more

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Why the Whales Came

Why the Whales Came

by Michael Morpurgo

Format: Paperback 160 pages
Published: 05/02/2007
Publisher: Egmont Books Ltd

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5 out of 5

This is an exciting adventure and friendship story by a much-loved, award winning author. Gracie and her friend, Daniel have always been warned to... Read more

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Kaspar: Prince of Cats

Kaspar: Prince of Cats

by Michael Morpurgo, et al.

Format: Paperback 224 pages
Published: 07/01/2010
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

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4 out of 5

A heart-warming, colour-illustrated novel about Kaspar the Savoy cat, from the award-winning author of Born to Run and The Amazing Story of Adolphus... Read more

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Kaspar (eBook): Prince of Cats

Kaspar (eBook): Prince of Cats

by Michael Morpurgo, et al.

Format: eBook
Published: 03/06/2010
Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks

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Kaspar: Prince of Cats

Kaspar: Prince of Cats

by Paul Chequer, et al.

Format: Audio CD
Published: 28/05/2009
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

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A heart-warming, colour-illustrated novel about Kaspar the Savoy cat, from the award-winning author of Born to Run and The Amazing Story of Adolphus... Read more

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Born to Run

Born to Run

by Michael Morpurgo

Format: Paperback 240 pages
Published: 02/06/2008
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

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5 out of 5

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4 out of 5

Joy and heartbreak combine in this bittersweet tale of a champion greyhound's journey through life -- and from owner to owner! "The sack... Read more

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Born to Run

Born to Run

by Michael Morpurgo, et al.

Format: Audio CD
Published: 12/01/2008
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

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4 out of 5

Joy and heartbreak combine in this bittersweet tale of a champion greyhound's journey through life -- and from owner to owner! "The sack... Read more

£13.99

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Arthur High King of Britain

Arthur High King of Britain

by Michael Morpurgo

Format: Paperback 128 pages
Published: 06/05/2008
Publisher: Egmont Books Ltd

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From former Children's Laureate and award-winning author Michael Morpurgo comes, "Arthur High King of Britain", reissued with a... Read more

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The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips

by Michael Morpurgo, et al.

Format: Paperback 192 pages
Published: 06/02/2006
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

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4 out of 5

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5 out of 5

A heart-warming tale of courage and warmth, set against the backdrop of the second world war, about an abandoned village, a lifelong friendship and... Read more

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The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips (eBook)

The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips (eBook)

by Michael Morpurgo

Format: eBook
Published: 03/06/2010
Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks

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This edition does not include illustrations.

A heart-warming tale of courage and warmth, set against the backdrop of the second world... Read more

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The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips: Complete & Unabridged

The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips: Complete & Unabridged

by Michael Morpurgo, et al.

Format: Audio CD
Published: 04/04/2005
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

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A heartwarming tale of courage and warmth, set against the backdrop of the second world war, about a cat who survives against the odds. Read by... Read more

£13.00

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The Last Wolf (eBook)

The Last Wolf (eBook)

by Michael Morpurgo

Format: eBook
Published: 15/02/2011
Publisher: RHCP UK Digital

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Michael Morpurgo has created a sweeping and dramatic story in the time of "Bonnie Prince Charlie". This spellbinding tale is complemented... Read more

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Dear Olly (eBook)

Dear Olly (eBook)

by Michael Morpurgo

Format: eBook
Published: 19/08/2010
Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks

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A moving story of a... Read more

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Tom's Sausage Lion (eBook)

Tom's Sausage Lion (eBook)

by Michael Morpurgo

Format: eBook
Published: 31/10/2010
Publisher: RHCP UK Digital

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'But it's true', Tom shouted. 'It was a real lion, I know it was'. No-one believes Tom when he says he has seen a lion - padding... Read more

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£4.17

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Cool! (eBook)

Cool! (eBook)

by Michael Morpurgo

Format: eBook
Published: 03/06/2010
Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks

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Discover the beautiful stories of Michael Morpurgo, author of Warhorse and the nation's favourite storyteller

Michael... Read more

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The Dancing Bear (eBook)

The Dancing Bear (eBook)

by Michael Morpurgo

Format: eBook
Published: 03/06/2010
Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks

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2 out of 5

Discover the beautiful stories of Michael Morpurgo, author of Warhorse and the nation's favourite storyteller

A gentle and deeply... Read more

£2.99

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