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
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
| Format: | Paperback 288 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 30/09/2010 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
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A stunning and moving new novel from Michael Morpurgo, the nation's favourite storyteller -- featuring the bravest dog in all the world! This... Read more
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£10.39
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Shadow
| Format: | Audio CD |
|---|---|
| Published: | 30/09/2010 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Publishers Ltd |
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A stunning and moving new novel from Michael Morpurgo, the nation's favourite storyteller -- featuring the bravest dog in all the world! This... Read more
RRP £10.00
£9.00
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Shadow
| Format: | Audio CD |
|---|---|
| Published: | 30/09/2010 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Publishers Ltd |
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A stunning and moving new novel from Michael Morpurgo, the nation's favourite storyteller -- featuring the bravest dog in all the world! This... Read more
RRP £10.00
£9.00
You save: £1.00
An Elephant in the Garden
| Format: | Paperback 240 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 09/06/2011 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
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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
RRP £6.99
£4.49
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An Elephant in the Garden
| 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
Running Wild
| Format: | Paperback 352 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 27/05/2010 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
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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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£4.59
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Running Wild
| 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
RRP £10.00
£8.50
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Pigs Might Fly! - Mudpuddle Farm
| 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
RRP £4.99
£3.69
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Cock-A-Doodle-Do - Mudpuddle Farm
| 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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£4.74
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War Horse
| Format: | Paperback 192 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 04/09/2006 |
| Publisher: | Egmont Books Ltd |
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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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£4.19
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War Horse
| 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
RRP £10.00
£6.70
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Kensuke's Kingdom
| Format: | Paperback 176 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 03/10/2005 |
| Publisher: | Egmont Books Ltd |
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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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£4.19
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Toro! Toro!
| 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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£3.79
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Toro! Toro! (eBook)
| Format: | eBook |
|---|---|
| Published: | 08/07/2010 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks |
Available for immediate download
Discover the beautiful stories of Michael Morpurgo, author of Warhorse and the nation's favourite storyteller
Best-selling author... Read more
£2.99
The Butterfly Lion
| Format: | Paperback 128 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 07/05/1996 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
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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
| Format: | Paperback 192 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 29/05/2004 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
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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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£4.59
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Why the Whales Came
| Format: | Paperback 160 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 05/02/2007 |
| Publisher: | Egmont Books Ltd |
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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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£4.29
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Kaspar: Prince of Cats
| Format: | Paperback 224 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 07/01/2010 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
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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
RRP £5.99
£4.09
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Kaspar (eBook): Prince of Cats
| 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
A heart-warming... Read more
£2.99
Kaspar: Prince of Cats
| 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
RRP £10.00
£9.00
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Born to Run
| Format: | Paperback 240 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 02/06/2008 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
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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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£4.19
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Born to Run
| Format: | Audio CD |
|---|---|
| Published: | 12/01/2008 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Publishers Ltd |
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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
Arthur High King of Britain
| 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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£3.89
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The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips
| Format: | Paperback 192 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 06/02/2006 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
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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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£3.89
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The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips (eBook)
| Format: | eBook |
|---|---|
| Published: | 03/06/2010 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks |
Available for immediate download
This edition does not include illustrations.
A heart-warming tale of courage and warmth, set against the backdrop of the second world... Read more
£2.99
The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips: Complete & Unabridged
| 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
The Last Wolf (eBook)
| 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
RRP £5.21
£4.17
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Dear Olly (eBook)
| Format: | eBook |
|---|---|
| Published: | 19/08/2010 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks |
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Discover the beautiful stories of Michael Morpurgo, author of Warhorse and the nation's favourite storyteller
A moving story of a... Read more
£2.99
Tom's Sausage Lion (eBook)
| 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
RRP £5.21
£4.17
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Cool! (eBook)
| Format: | eBook |
|---|---|
| Published: | 03/06/2010 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks |
Available for immediate download
Discover the beautiful stories of Michael Morpurgo, author of Warhorse and the nation's favourite storyteller
Michael... Read more
£2.99
The Dancing Bear (eBook)
| 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
A gentle and deeply... Read more
£2.99
