About the AuthorMichael Morpurgo is one of Britain’s most famous children’s authors. He has written over 100 books and has even been knighted for his amazing achievements. But Michael isn’t just a great writer—he is also a dedicated charity worker, a family man, and an inspiration to both children and adults.
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Early Life
Michael Morpurgo was born on October 5, 1943, in St Albans, England. When World War II began, Michael and his brother, Pieter, were sent to Northumberland to stay safe from the Blitz (bombings over cities). When the war ended, they returned home and discovered that their mother had fallen in love with a man named Jack Morpurgo, who later became Michael’s stepfather.
Michael went to two different boarding schools and then tried joining the Army. However, he didn’t enjoy being shouted at, so he decided to leave and go to university instead. In 1963, he married Clare Lane, the daughter of the founder of Penguin Books (a company that publishes many children’s books). Together, they had three children: Sebastian, Horatio, and Rosalind.
After university, Michael became a teacher in Kent. He loved reading stories to his students, but when he ran out of books, he decided to write his own! In 1974, he published his first book, It Never Rains: Five Stories. He has said that his years as a teacher were some of the happiest of his life.
Charity Work
In 1976, Michael and his family moved to Devon, where they bought a house next to a farm. They started a charity called Farms for City Children. This charity allows children from big towns and cities to spend a week on a farm, learning about animals, farming, and teamwork. Since it started, over 90,000 children have visited the farms! The charity is still running today.
Books and Success
Since publishing his first book, Morpurgo has written many famous children’s stories, including:
Achievements
Michael Morpurgo worked closely with his friend, the poet Ted Hughes, to help create the role of Children’s Laureate in 1999—a special title given to an outstanding children's author. In 2003, Michael Morpurgo became the third Children’s Laureate, following Quentin Blake and Anne Fine.
In 2007, he was awarded an OBE (a special honor from the Queen), and in 2018, he was knighted for his contributions to literature and charity. However, despite all his success, Morpurgo says his biggest achievement is still starting Farms for City Children with his wife.
Did You Know...?
Michael Morpurgo has spent his life telling incredible stories and helping children in need. His books continue to inspire young readers all over the world!
Michael Morpurgo was born on October 5, 1943, in St Albans, England. When World War II began, Michael and his brother, Pieter, were sent to Northumberland to stay safe from the Blitz (bombings over cities). When the war ended, they returned home and discovered that their mother had fallen in love with a man named Jack Morpurgo, who later became Michael’s stepfather.
Michael went to two different boarding schools and then tried joining the Army. However, he didn’t enjoy being shouted at, so he decided to leave and go to university instead. In 1963, he married Clare Lane, the daughter of the founder of Penguin Books (a company that publishes many children’s books). Together, they had three children: Sebastian, Horatio, and Rosalind.
After university, Michael became a teacher in Kent. He loved reading stories to his students, but when he ran out of books, he decided to write his own! In 1974, he published his first book, It Never Rains: Five Stories. He has said that his years as a teacher were some of the happiest of his life.
Charity Work
In 1976, Michael and his family moved to Devon, where they bought a house next to a farm. They started a charity called Farms for City Children. This charity allows children from big towns and cities to spend a week on a farm, learning about animals, farming, and teamwork. Since it started, over 90,000 children have visited the farms! The charity is still running today.
Books and Success
Since publishing his first book, Morpurgo has written many famous children’s stories, including:
- Friend or Foe
- War Horse
- The Butterfly Lion
- Kensuke’s Kingdom
- Private Peaceful
- An Elephant in the Garden
Achievements
Michael Morpurgo worked closely with his friend, the poet Ted Hughes, to help create the role of Children’s Laureate in 1999—a special title given to an outstanding children's author. In 2003, Michael Morpurgo became the third Children’s Laureate, following Quentin Blake and Anne Fine.
In 2007, he was awarded an OBE (a special honor from the Queen), and in 2018, he was knighted for his contributions to literature and charity. However, despite all his success, Morpurgo says his biggest achievement is still starting Farms for City Children with his wife.
Did You Know...?
- Michael Morpurgo does not write his books at a desk! Instead, he lies on his bed, propped up by pillows, writing in an exercise book (not on a computer).
- He loves listening to Mozart, but he finds music too distracting when he writes, so he prefers silence.
- Morpurgo has a passion for horses—which is why War Horse became such an important story for him.
- He once said he didn’t think of himself as a writer but rather as a storyteller who brings ideas to life.
Michael Morpurgo has spent his life telling incredible stories and helping children in need. His books continue to inspire young readers all over the world!