Michael Morpurgo

Author Links

5 stars across 321 books

Michael Morpurgo Biography
Michael Morpurgo is an award-winning English author, born in St. Alban’s in 1943. After attending St. Matthias primary school in London, Michael was sent away to boarding school, which he never liked and wrote about in his novel, Butterly Lion.

Later Michael joined the army but decided it wasn’t for him and become a teacher instead, where he says “I ran out of other writers’ stories to read, so started making up some of my own”. After ten years as a teacher, Michael and his wife Clare, set up a charity called Farms for City Children, to help inner city children experience life in the countryside. Over 90,000 children have benefited by spending time on one of the three farms run by the charity.
Michael now lives in Devon and has written more than 130 books! You can read more about his life in Michael’s biography, War Child to War Horse.

Michael Morpurgo's latest book, a retelling of The Snowman, a story inspired by the original by Raymond Briggs was published in October 2019.

Michael Morpurgo Facts
His wife Clare, is the eldest daughter of Sir Allen Lane, founder of Penguin Books!

Michael was inspired by (and later became great friends with) the poet Ted Hughes and together they came up with the idea of a Children’s Laureate. In 2003 Michael became the third Children’s Laureate and you can read more about the Children’s Laureate and how it recognises the important role of children’s books here: http://www.childrenslaureate.org.uk

Our favourite Michael Morpurgo book characters
- Charlie from Private Peaceful
- Michael from Kensuke’s Kingdom
- Joey from War Horse

Michael Murpurgo Series
- Farm Boy is the sequel to War Horse
- Mudpuddle Farm

Our favourite Michael Morpurgo book quotes
- “I can hate you more, but I’ll never love you less” (War Horse)
- “Being his real brother I could feel I live in his shadows, but never have and I do not now. I live in his glow” (Private Peaceful)
- “Life must not be spent always hoping, always waiting. Life is for living” (Kensuke’s Kingdom)

Filter

Publication Date

Series

Kensuke's Kingdom

28th July 2016

Kensuke's Kingdom

I disappeared on the night before my twelfth birthday. Washed up on an island in the Pacific, Michael struggle... MoreKensuke's Kingdom

(110 reviews) Review

War Horse

1st November 2010

War Horse

The book that inspired Steven Spielberg's Hollywood blockbuster movie and an internationally acclaimed stage show ...it ... MoreWar Horse

(49 reviews) Review

Private Peaceful

29th May 2004

Private Peaceful

Heroism or cowardice? A stunning story of the First World War from a master storyteller. Told in the voice of ... MorePrivate Peaceful

(38 reviews) Review

Boy Giant: Son of Gulliver

19th September 2019

Boy Giant: Son of Gulliver

A stunning new story of hope, humanity and high-seas adventure for children and adults everywhere from ... MoreBoy Giant: Son of Gulliver

(35 reviews) Review

The Butterfly Lion

3rd August 2023

The Butterfly Lion

A lyrical and moving tale of a young boy growing up in Africa, and his lifelong friendship with a white lio... MoreThe Butterfly Lion

(35 reviews) Review

The Puffin Keeper

8th July 2021

The Puffin Keeper

It was Benjamin Postlethwaite's job all his long life to make sure the light shone brightly high up in the lighthouse on... MoreThe Puffin Keeper

(30 reviews) Review

Toto: The Wizard of Oz as Told by the Dog

6th February 2020

Toto: The Wizard of Oz as Told by the Dog

From master storyteller MICHAEL MORPURGO, and illustrated by the award-winning EMMA CHICHESTER CLARK, comes a surprising... MoreToto: The Wizard of Oz as Told by the Dog

(28 reviews) Review

Barney the Horse and Other Tales from the Farm

2nd February 2023

Barney the Horse and Other Tales from the Farm

A charming story collection from Michael Morpurgo and illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees – full of friendship a... MoreBarney the Horse and Other Tales from the Farm

(26 reviews) Review

The Snowman: Inspired by the original story by Raymond Briggs

3rd October 2019

The Snowman: Inspired by the original story by Raymond Briggs

Beloved children's author Michael Morpurgo has re-imagined Raymond Briggs' classic The Snowman for a new generation of r... MoreThe Snowman: Inspired by the original story by Raymond Briggs

(25 reviews) Review

Kaspar: Prince of Cats

7th January 2010

Kaspar: Prince of Cats

A heart-warming, colour-illustrated novel about Kaspar the Savoy cat, from the award-winning author of Born to Run and T... MoreKaspar: Prince of Cats

(24 reviews) Review

Show More Books

New Book

Black Beauty

26th February 2026

(0 reviews)

Coming Soon

Michael Morpurgo’s Christmas Stories

Hardback

22nd October 2026

Recent Reviews

Friend or Foe

by Ellie.tommo

this book was amazing. i loved seeing goodness and kindness in the world even during really tough times that are filled with hate....
Private Peaceful

by Ellie.tommo

i thought that this book was absolutely amazing. all books that i have read by michael morpurgo never let me down.

the bond between the three brot...
Kaspar: Prince of Cats

by Year5esp

i loved the way that lizziebeth loved kasper so much that she drew pictures! but the one thing that was really sad was that countess kandinsky died. i...