Books by Michael Morpurgo are some of the most frequently read children's books in school libraries. Try finding a copy of Kensuke's Kingdom, War Horse or The Butterfly Lion and you are likely to be disappointed. These books are usually perpetually checked-out with a long waiting list of eager readers trying to get hold of them when they are returned. I have yet to come across a child who has not enjoyed atleast one title written by Michael Morpurgo. Most have enjoyed all of the Michael Morpurgo books they have read.
It is difficult to determine exactly waht it is about his writing that inspires children so much. Perhaps its the fact that his books seem so real. Often written in the first person, upon finishing the last page of his books, children are often left wondering if the events are true, or if the characters are based on real people. Perhaps its because the writing stikes the perfect balance between moving the action forward and conjuring telling images in the mind of the reader. Perhaps its because the storylines are so compelling. Or perhaps its just a mixture of all of the above. I know I enjoy reading Michael Morpurgo novels aloud, and I don't say that about many children's books. The tone of his books seems to be right. His stories, even the ones written recently, sound like classsic children's books, but without feeling out of date and old fashioned. When you read a children's book by Michael Morpurgo you know you are reading something worthwhile. His books are authentic and seem to have soul.
Some of the best know of Michael Morpurgo's books are: Kensuke's Kingdom, The Butterfly Lion, Adolphus Tips, War Horse, Farm Boy and The Wreck of the Zanzibar, but Morpurgo has written far more titles besides these. Any of these titles would be well worth a read.
Showing posts with label Michael Morpurgo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Morpurgo. Show all posts
Children's Books by Michael Morpurgo
Michael Morpurgo books are incredibly popular in schools. I was recently talking to a school librarian, who claimed that children's books by Michael Morpurgo were among the most read books in the entire school. Children of ages 8 - 11 seem to particularly enjoy books by Michael Morpurgo.
Of all of the books written by Michael Morpurgo, Kensuke's Kingdom stands out as a fantastic piece of writing. I believe that this Michael Morpurgo book will stand the test of time and will go on to become one of the classic children's books. The story is about a boy called Michael. It is written in the first person (like most books by Michael Morpurgo), and it details Michael's time spent marooned on a desert island. The key feature of this Michael Morpurgo book is the relationship between Michael and the island's only other resident, Kensuke. I have not met a single person who has not enjoyed this Michael Morpurgo book. It is really well written and it is genuinely moving.
In addition to being an enjoyable children's book to read, Kensuke's Kingdom is a great book to use as the basis for further work in the classroom. I have seen children complete the following Michael Morpurgo and Kensuke's Kingdom-related tasks:
Of all of the books written by Michael Morpurgo, Kensuke's Kingdom stands out as a fantastic piece of writing. I believe that this Michael Morpurgo book will stand the test of time and will go on to become one of the classic children's books. The story is about a boy called Michael. It is written in the first person (like most books by Michael Morpurgo), and it details Michael's time spent marooned on a desert island. The key feature of this Michael Morpurgo book is the relationship between Michael and the island's only other resident, Kensuke. I have not met a single person who has not enjoyed this Michael Morpurgo book. It is really well written and it is genuinely moving.
In addition to being an enjoyable children's book to read, Kensuke's Kingdom is a great book to use as the basis for further work in the classroom. I have seen children complete the following Michael Morpurgo and Kensuke's Kingdom-related tasks:
- Write a letter to Michael Morpurgo
- Prodce a profile or factfile about Michael Morpurgo
- Research other books written by Michael Morpurgo
- Write a message in a bottle from Michael to his parents
- Produce a page from Michael's journal
- Devise a new cover for a Michael Morpurgo book
- Browse the library for other children's books by Michael Morpurgo
- Draw a labelled diagram of the setting of Kensuke's Kingdom
- Re-write a scene from the book from Kensuke's perspective
These are just a few ideas: the list could go on and on.
Apart from Kensuke's Kingdom, there are lots of other books by Michael Morpurgo that are worth reading (such as War Horse and The Butterfly Lion), but I'll leave the discussion about these Michael Morpurgo books for another post.
Facts about Michael Morpurgo
Here are some facts about the children's author, Michael Morpurgo. He has produced some of the best children's books over the last ten years, and he is exceptionally talented.
Michael Morpurgo facts (in no particular order)
1. In 1943 Michael Morpurgo was born in St Albans, Hertfordshire.
2. He was evacuated to Cumberland during World War II.
3. From Cumberland, Michael Morpurgo moved to London and then to Essex.
4. He went to schools in Canterbury, London and Sussex.
5. Michael Morpurgo was once described as being "rather stupid, but great at rugby".
6. At Sandhurst, he trained for the British Army - he went home after getting injured.
7. Michael Morpurgo once worked as a school caretaker.
8. At university he studied English and French.
9. Michael Morpurgo was once a primary school teacher.
10. As a teacher he loved telling stories.
11. Michael Morpurgo admires the poets Sean Rafferty and Ted Hughes, and the writer Ernest Hemingway.
12. In his children's books, Michael Morpurgo often includes characters who love nature.
13. Michael is married to Clare.
14. The Morpurgos set up the charity Farms for City children in 1976.
15. From 2003 to 2005, Michael Morpurgo was Children's Laureate.
16. Michael Morpurgo has worked with the illustrators Quentin Blake and Michael Foreman.
17. Michael Morpurgo's children's book War Horse has been made into a play (and a radio broadcast).
18. At school Michael Morpurgo loved rugby, geography and cricket.
19. He has three children and lives in Devon.
20. He is one of the most well known authors of children's books.
21. He has published more than 90 children's books.
22. Michael has one lots of awards for writing children's books (Children's Book of the Year)
23. He writes from 9:30 to 12:30 - in bed.
I hope you have enjoyed these facts about Michael Morpurgo.
Michael Morpurgo facts (in no particular order)
1. In 1943 Michael Morpurgo was born in St Albans, Hertfordshire.
2. He was evacuated to Cumberland during World War II.
3. From Cumberland, Michael Morpurgo moved to London and then to Essex.
4. He went to schools in Canterbury, London and Sussex.
5. Michael Morpurgo was once described as being "rather stupid, but great at rugby".
6. At Sandhurst, he trained for the British Army - he went home after getting injured.
7. Michael Morpurgo once worked as a school caretaker.
8. At university he studied English and French.
9. Michael Morpurgo was once a primary school teacher.
10. As a teacher he loved telling stories.
11. Michael Morpurgo admires the poets Sean Rafferty and Ted Hughes, and the writer Ernest Hemingway.
12. In his children's books, Michael Morpurgo often includes characters who love nature.
13. Michael is married to Clare.
14. The Morpurgos set up the charity Farms for City children in 1976.
15. From 2003 to 2005, Michael Morpurgo was Children's Laureate.
16. Michael Morpurgo has worked with the illustrators Quentin Blake and Michael Foreman.
17. Michael Morpurgo's children's book War Horse has been made into a play (and a radio broadcast).
18. At school Michael Morpurgo loved rugby, geography and cricket.
19. He has three children and lives in Devon.
20. He is one of the most well known authors of children's books.
21. He has published more than 90 children's books.
22. Michael has one lots of awards for writing children's books (Children's Book of the Year)
23. He writes from 9:30 to 12:30 - in bed.
I hope you have enjoyed these facts about Michael Morpurgo.
10 Facts About Michael Morpurgo
Michael Morpurgo, who has written several classic children's books, is one of the most well-loved children's authors.
(1) Michael Morpurgo was born in St Albans in 1943.
(1) Michael Morpurgo was born in St Albans in 1943.(2) His favourite lesson at school was French.
(3) With his wife, Clare, Michael Morpurgo founded the Farms for City Children, to give children from deprived inner-city schools the chance to work on a farm.
(4) Sitting at a desk gives Michael Morpurgo backache, so he writes his novels sitting on his bed. He writes in school exercise books.
(5) Private Peaceful was the 100th book written by Michael Morpurgo.
(6) His favourite authors are: Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island), Rudyard Kipling (The Just So Stories) and Ted Hughes (The Iron Man).
(7) In 2003 Michael Morpurgo became the third Children's Laureate.
(8) Micheal Morpurgo was a primary school teacher in Kent.
(9) He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2006
(10) He hates rewriting and he hates making corrections to his stories.
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