This is a must for every fan of Michael Morpurgo’s books; a veritable feast of information, both on the author himself but also on his books, how he came to write them and where the inspiration for his writing comes from. And did you know that Michael wrote Kensuke’s Kingdom because a fan wrote in asking him to write a book about a boy who gets stuck on a desert island. So, if you have an idea for a good book, then why not write it yourself or perhaps even write to Michael just as this boy did! Finally, there is a delightfully captivating short story which has never previously been published.
Children's Laureate, prize-winning author and originator of 'Farms for City Children', Michael Morpurgo has written over 90 books. He is a recipient of the Whitbread Children's Book Award, the Smarties Prize and the Children's Book Award. This book looks at the world of Michael Morpurgo, his childhood, how he began to write, and the people, the stories and the landscapes that have influenced his work. It examines the books themselves, drawing together common themes and encouraging the reader to read further for themselves. It also includes a section on the development of a book, answering some of those questions that Michael is frequently asked, 'where do you get your ideas from?' or 'how long does it take to produce a book?'
Geoff Fox taught first in schools and then at Exeter University, where he was in the School of Education for some 30 years. He has written widely about children's books including numerous reviews and articles for the Times Educational SupplementBooks for Keeps. He continues to edit Children's Literature in Education and also spends time telling stories in schools and helping to run a local Arts Centre.