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Written by Michael Morpurgo
Illustrated by Michael Foreman
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One of our Books of the Year 2016 | Julia Eccleshare's Book of the Month July 2016 Award-winning former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo gives all those who love his books a fascinating behind-the-scenes introduction to how he came to write twenty of them. While each story and the inspiration for it is very different, the simple and attractive format of the book makes a brilliant and coherent whole. Morpurgo describes the way each of the stories came to him in a brief essay he calls ‘The Dream’ he then includes an telling extract from the original story each of which has been carefully chosen by his wife Clare Morpurgo.
The origins of the stories range from meeting two soldiers who had fought in World War One in his home village in Devon which gave him the idea for his bestselling War Horse to the very different setting – The Savoy Hotel, London – for his inspiration for Kaspar: Prince of Cats. Other favourite Morpurgo stories he includes are The Butterfly Lion, Kensuke’s Kingdom, The Mozart Question, Shadow and Out of the Ashes. Michael Foreman, who has illustrated so many of Michael Morpurgo’s books, has added wonderful new illustrations for his volume. An inspiring and invaluable book for all budding writers. ~ Julia Eccleshare
Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for July 2016
Melric and the Crown by David McKee
The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Chris Riddell
Up, Up and Away by Tom McLaughlin
Strange Star by Emma Carroll
Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell
Such Stuff: A Story-Maker's Inspiration by Michael Morpurgo
This insightful collection is the perfect gift for Michael Morpurgo fans who want to understand how writing works and where stories begin. Revealing essays from Michael about more than twenty of his most popular novels are combined with key extracts from his books along with historical context and illuminating background information from Michael's brother Mark.
Stunning illustrations from Michael Foreman, photographs and facsimiles complete the immersive experience.
From the first sentence of a Michael Morpurgo book, you know you are in the hands of a natural storyteller. -- The Guardian
ISBN: 9781406364576
Publication date: 07/07/2016
Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
Format: Hardback
| ISBN: | 9781406364576 |
| Publication date: | 7th July 2016 |
| Author: | Michael Morpurgo |
| Illustrator: | Michael Foreman |
| Publisher: | Walker Books Ltd |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Suitable for: | 11+ readers, 13+ readers |
| Genres: | Anthologies |
| Recommendations: | Books of the Month, Julia Eccleshare's Picks, eBooks |
Michael Morpurgo, began writing stories in the early '70's, in response to the children in his class at the primary school where he taught in Kent. One of the UK’s best-loved authors and storytellers, Michael was appointed Children’s Laureate in 2003, a post he helped to set up with Ted Hughes in 1999. He was awarded an OBE in 2007 and a Knighthood in the New Year’s Honours in 2018 for services to literature and charity. He has written over 150 books, including The Butterfly Lion, Kensuke’s Kingdom, Why the Whales Came, The Mozart Question, ...
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