Michael Morpurgo is a most busy and beloved children’s author, with 167 books published to date. Many of Morpurgo’s books have been made into films including War horse, when the whales came, friend or foe, peaceful private. My Friend Walter, Purple Penguins and Out of the Ashes were also adapted for TV. War horse has also been adapted for the stage. Check out some of the facts on Michael Morpurgo:
- Michael Morpurgo was born in Hertfordshire on October 5th, 1943.
- He set up “Farms for City Children” charity with his wife Clare in 1976 after leaving his job as a teacher
- Both Michael and his wife were awarded an MBE for services to youth in 1999 and in 2006, Michael also received an OBE from the Queen.
- He became a primary school teacher in Kent after graduating from the university of London.
- War Horse was directed by the world-famous director, Steven Spielberg.
- Michael Morpurgo has revealed He doesn’t work from a desk, instead choosing to write sitting on his bed, propped up with pillows.
- He writes all his stories in exercise books.
- Animals feature in most of his books, His favorite animal is the elephant.
- Michael became Children’s Laureate in 2003. This is a position awarded in the United Kingdom once every two years to a “writer or illustrator of children’s books to celebrate outstanding achievement in their field”.
- Michael has three children. Their three children, Sebastian, Horatio and Rosalind, are all named after Shakespearian characters.
- He likes to relax by listening to the works of the composer is Mozart, but when he is writing, Michael needs to be in a silent room to concentrate.
- He enjoys watching TV particularly documentaries
Call into Monaghan library and check out our Michael Morpurgo books.