Michael Murpurgo often describes himself rather unflatteringly as ‘oldish, married with three children, and a grandfather six times over’. He went to schools in both Canterbury and Surrey, and decided after finishing school to enter into the teaching profession. However he soon discovered his real interest lay in writing children’s books.
Like most authors Michael does not simply sit in confinement taping away at a typewriter but gathers his inspiration from people, places and stories he hears. His stories subtly blend together elements of truth, history and reality. Each novel takes about six months to write.
Here are a selection of Michael Morpurgo books we have in our Library and briefly what they are about:
The Amazing Story of Adolphos Tips
The incredible tale of a deserted village, a lifelong friendship, and one very adventurous cat. It’s 1943, Lily Tregenza lives on a farm in a seaside village and her life is scarcely touched by the war. Until the day when the villagers are told to move out of their homes – lock, stock and barrel. Soon the whole area is out of bounds as the allied forces prepare to invade France. But Tips, Lily’s adored cat, has other ideas – and returns to the forbidden area. Frantic to find her, Lily decides to enter the danger zone to look for Tips herself…
The Butterfly Lion
Bertie rescues an orphaned white lion cub from the African Veld. They are inseparable until Bertie is sent to boarding school far away in England and the lion is sold to a circus. Bertie swears that one day they will see one another again, but the butterfly lion ensures that their friendship will never be forgotten.
Cool
Robbie lies in a coma, after a terrible car accident involving his dog, Lucky. He can hear, but he can’t move or speak. He can’t tell his family that he loves them that he’s going to be OK. Everyone comes to visit Robbie, desperate to reach him – even the famous Chelsea footballer Zola. But Robbie is on the brink of death and nothing is working. Will they ever be able to bring him back?
King of the Cloud Forest
When Japan invades China, Ashley and Uncle Sung are forced to flee. It is a perilous journey across the Himalayas, and they struggle to survive. Then Ashley is captures. Who are these strange creatures that revere him as their King?
Kensuke’s Kingdom
Washed up on an island in the Pacific, Michael struggles to survive on his own. With no food and no water, he curls up to die. When he wakes, there is a plate beside him of fish, of fruit, and a bowl of fresh water. He is not alone…
Private Peaceful
As young Thomas Peaceful looks back over his childhood from the war-torn battlefields of France, his memories are full of family life deep in the countryside. But the clock is ticking, and every moment Tommo spends remembering how things used to be, means another moment closer to something which will change his life for ever.
Long Way Home
George doesn’t want to spend his summer with another foster family, and Tom is angry that George is coming to stay. But then disaster strikes and Tom realises that George is like a brother. Has George finally found a place to call home?
Why the Whales Came
Gracie and Daniel have been warned to stay away from the mad Birdman, but the message in the sand tells them the Birdman isn’t what he seems. Then they get lost in the fog and stranded on Salmon Island – should they believe the Birdman’s story that the island is cursed?
Dear Olly
Matt wouldn’t look at her as he spoke. ‘I’m going to be a clown, Olly, I mean a real clown. And now I know where I’m going to do it. I’m going where my swallows go. I’m going to Africa’. As Olly waits for her brother’s letters, she watches the swallows preparing to leave for the winter. Hero the swallow starts his journey to Africa, not knowing the terrible dangers he will meet on the way. And when Matt sees the children in the African orphanage – sick, injured and lonely – he knows he’s made the right decision, but he never could have dreamt of what was going to happen to him there… A story in three movements, told by three voices – a lyrical tale of family, love and determination.
Toro Toro
Antonito lives an idyllic life on his parent’s bull farm in Spain. But the idyll is shattered when he realises that his calf, Paco, is destined for the bullring. What can he do? He has a daring plan, but it will take enormous courage to see it through. Because it is 1936, and the drums of war are echoing across Spanish Plains…
Escape from Shangri-La
Popsicle had come out of nowhere, out of the blue, to be my grandfather; and nothing and no one would or could ever be the same again. Cessie is determined to help Popsicle remember his past. But how can she help when he only remembers in glimpses? A tin of condensed milk, a lifeboat, a woman named Lucie Alice, and a devastating night on the beaches of Dunkirk during World War II.
