Michael Morpurgo is one of our best-loved storytellers and this February we are joining schools and book lovers across the country in celebrating his outstanding contribution to children's literature.
He has written over 150 books, won countless awards and was Children's Laureate from 2003 to 2005. His stories cross borders and ages, are loved across the world and translated into many languages.
Awarded an MBE in 2018 for services to literature and charity, Michael is a passionate advocate for the arts and justly proud of Farms for City Children, a charity founded with his wife Clare.
Michael was our Guest Editor in October 2020 and he passed on a few hints and tips for budding writers..
1. Live an interesting life. Meet people. Read a lot and widely, learn from the great writers.
2. Write a little every day.
3. Settle on an idea that you care about, that you’re really passionate about, then research around it and dream it out in your mind. I don’t plan out the plot, rather let it emerge as I write.
4. When I write I try as far as possible to forget I’m writing it at all. I tell it down onto the page, as if I’m telling it to one person only, my best friend.
5. Remember to write for yourself, not for a market and give yourself time to develop your own style, your own voice. It takes a lifetime. Enjoy it!
You can read his full interview here and we have picked a selection of books from his considerable back catalogue below to inspire and entertain you through Michael Morpurgo Month.
And you can hear Michael Morpurgo in interview at The LoveReading LitFest as he joined us to talk about his books and the urgent need for us to join together in caring for the planet and every creature in it. 
