New Releases by Michael Morpurgo

A heart-lifting story of hope and courage in a time of war, set in the South of France ''The storytelling is, as always, irresistible and the characters clasp your heart'' Sunday Times, Children''s Book of the Week There are lots of things Lorenzo doesn''t understand, but he does understand animals - especially the flamingos in the salt flats of his Camargue home, which the Second World War has barely touched. But then the soldiers come, and Lorenzo''s world is threatened. Amongst the Germans, though, is a kind sergeant, and he and Lorenzo may be able to mend what is broken . . .

How far would you go to find yourself? The lyrical, life-affirming novel from the nation''s favourite storyteller ''Michael Morpurgo''s best book in years'' Observer When six-year-old Arthur is shipped to Australia after the Second World War, he loses everything he knows. Subjected to brutal hardship on a working farm before finding a home with the eccentric Aunty Megs, Arthur is eventually called back to the sea. Now Arthur has built a yacht for his daughter, Allie, who is determined to sail to England to find her father''s long-lost sister. Will love stretch across time and oceans and reveal how Arthur''s life began?

An unforgettable tale of struggle, adventure and hope from War Horse author and former Children''s Laureate, Michael Morpurgo.

A fresh, funny modern fairytale about a little princess who hates the stuffy palace, but loves the creatures she meets in the garden, from superstar duo Michael Morpurgo and Emily Gravett. Clara is a small, strong-willed princess who likes running wild, jumping ditches, and climbing trees. But most of all, she loves collecting creepy-crawlies and making them her friends. That''s not easy with a bossy butler and persnickety nanny always on your case! When Clara discovers that an ogre she keeps in her shoe under her bed isn''t an ogre at all, he offers her a way out of her predicament. There''s just one thing she needs to do...

Ten stunning Shakespeare retellings from the master storyteller, with an introduction by Benedict Cumberbatch

DISCOVER AND CHERISH THIS BEAUTIFUL HARDBACK 40th ANNIVERSARY ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THE BELOVED MODERN CLASSIC, WAR HORSE.

“There once is a Queen ever constant to her people...” From the Nation’s Favourite Storyteller Sir Michael Morpurgo comes a poetic celebration of our Queen and longest reigning monarch, beautifully illustrated in watercolour by acclaimed artist Michael Foreman. Created in partnership with the Jubilee Pageant Committee

Every Christmas Mia and her family read a letter which her Grandpa wrote to her. This year Grandpa is worried that all the things they love so much are in danger. His letter is a hopeful plea to Mia (and to all of us) to continue to care for and protect our precious world.

Celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the stunning, classic story of an unforgettable friendship with a glorious colour gift edition, fully illustrated by Christian Birmingham.

A stunning gift collection of animal poems from master storyteller Michael Morpurgo, celebrating with heart and humour the creatures with whom we share our planet.

It was Benjamin Postlethwaite''s job all his long life to make sure the light shone brightly high up in the lighthouse on Puffin Island. Not once in all his years as the lighthouse keeper had he ever let his light go out. But sometimes even the brightest light on a lighthouse cannot save a ship. This is a story of a life-changing friendship, a lost puffin, and a lonely artist. It''s the story of an entire lifetime, and how one event can change a life forever. From masterful storyteller, Michael Morpurgo, and world-class illustrator, Benji Davies, comes a magical new story. This truly beautiful tale will enchant readers of all ages.

"A tender tale of destiny and identity, MUCK AND MAGIC, from the author of WAR HORSE, is the story of a girl seeking the answers to the timeless question of what our future holds." -- from page 2 of cover.

Specially commissioned by Michael Morpurgo to mark the 60th anniversary of VE day, this deeply moving collection features stories of war from the most well-loved voices in children''s literature, including Michelle Magorian, Celia Rees, George Layton, Robert Westall, Joan Aiken, Eva Ibbotson, Geraldine McCaughrean and other top children''s authors. From World War II to the Crusades, 1970s Beirut to the modern-day Middle East, these vivid stories explore wars throughout history. They examine not only the immediate consequences of war, but also what happens after the fighting is over. Waiting for Peace: War Stories was originally published as War: Stories of Conflict.

A stunning new story of hope, humanity and high-seas adventure for children and adults everywhere from Sir Michael Morpurgo, the nation’s favourite storyteller and multi-million copy bestselling author of WAR HORSE.

Michael Morpurgo''s The Day the World Stopped Turning is a middle-grade novel about an extraordinary boy who sees the world differently. In the unique landscape of the Camargue (France) during World War II, Lorenzo lives among the salt flats and the flamingos. There are lots of things he doesn''t understand–but he does know how to heal animals, how to talk to them; the flamingos especially. He loves routine, and music too: and every week he goes to market with his mother. It’s there he meets Kezia, a Roma girl, who helps her parents run their carousel–and who shows him how to ride the wooden horse as the music plays. But then the German soldiers come, with their guns. Everything is threatened, everything is falling apart: the carousel, Kezia and her family, even Lorenzo’s beloved flamingos. Yet there are kind people even among soldiers, and there is always hope. . .

A true story of two brothers and the war that changed everything. Michael Morpurgo''s wonderful storytelling and Barroux''s stunning artwork combine to tell the true story of Michael''s uncles against the epic backdrop of World War Two. Francis and Pieter are brothers. As the shadow of one war lingers, and the rumbles of another approach, the brothers argue. Francis is a fierce pacifist, while Pieter signs up to fight. What happens next will change the course of Francis''s life forever ... and throw him into the mouth of the wolf.

Beloved children''s author Michael Morpurgo has re-imagined Raymond Briggs'' classic The Snowman for a new generation of readers. One December morning, James is thrilled to wake up to see snow falling. He spends the whole day making his perfect snowman; he has coal eyes, an old green hat and scarf and a tangerine nose... just like the snowman from his favourite story. That night, something magical happens- the Snowman comes to life! He and James take to the skies on a magical adventure where they meet someone very special. Inspired by the timeless tale, Michael Morpurgo and Robin Shaw have created the perfect Christmas story for the whole family.

A new wartime classic from two legends of children''s literature! Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman have teamed up with the British Legion to tell a new story inspired by the history of the poppy. When John McCrae wrote his famous poem "In Flanders Field" among the trenches of war-torn Belgium, neither he nor a local village girl who saves a discarded draft of it could know what enormous power that poem would have on generations to come.

The bedlam of battle had begun. All around me men cried and fell to the ground, and horses reared and screamed in an agony of fear and pain. The shells whined and roared overhead, and every explosion seemed like an earthquake to us. A stunning wartime classic. In the deadly chaos of the First World War, one horse witnesses the reality of battle from both sides of the trenches. Bombarded by artillery, with bullets knocking riders from his back, Joey tells a powerful story of the truest friendships surviving in terrible times. One horse has the seen the best and the worst of humanity. The power of war and the beauty of peace. This is his story. From Michael Morpurgo, former children''s laureate, come this thrilling and epic tale of one horse''s journey through the trenches First World War. Now adapted by Steven Spielberg as a major motion picture, and shown on stage in London''s West End and also on Broadway.

The perfect read for all ages, Pinocchio as you’ve never seen him before: telling his own story through the master storyteller and award-winning author of WAR HORSE.

England, 1940. Barney’s home has been destroyed by bombing, and he and his mother are traveling to the countryside when German planes attack. Their train is forced to take shelter in a tunnel and there, in the darkness, a stranger— a fellow passenger—begins to tell them a story about two young soldiers who came face to face in the previous war. One British, one German. Both lived, but the British soldier was haunted by the encounter once he realized who the German was: the young Adolf Hitler. The British soldier made a moral decision. Was it the right one? Readers can ponder that difficult question for themselves with Michael Morpurgo''s latest middle-grade novel An Eagle in the Snow.

A delightful tale of victory against all odds from master storyteller, Michael Morpurgo, lavishly illustrated by Michael Foreman.

A powerful and inspiring tale of redemption from the author of WAR HORSE - with a personal introduction to the story from Michael Morpurgo. "I know a good sort when I see one. That''s why I''ve taken him on. That''s why I took you on." When a young lad strays into bad behaviour and thieving, he soon finds himself in Borstal prison for young men, lonely and without hope. But when Mr Alfie, who manages the stables, asks him to care for and tame a damaged horse, both are given a second chance. Could this "bad lad"''s skill with horses help him follow his dreams? Includes a fascinating "Facts Behind the Story" section.

Alfie lives off the coast of England. Merry lives in New York City. Until Merry and her mother set sail on the Lusitania for England, where Merry''s father is recuperating from a war injury. People told them not to go, hearing rumors that the Lusitania might be carrying munitions. But they are desperate to be reunited with Merry''s father. Alfie and his father find a lost girl in an abandoned house on a small island. The girl doesn''t speak, except to say what sounds like "Lucy." Alfie''s mother nurses her back to health. The others in the village suspect the unthinkable: Lucy is actually German-an enemy-because she''s found with a blanket with a German tag. Told from Alfie and Merry''s points of view, this exquisite novel tells of friends, enemies, and unexpected kindnesses.

A collection of six magical and heart-warming animal stories, specially for World Book Day, by the nation’s favourite storyteller.

Revered author Michael Morpurgo evokes the post-war Britain of his childhood in this unflinching and deeply poignant tale of the physical and mental scars of war. From a young age, Michael was both fascinated by and afraid of his grandfather. Grandpa’s ship was torpedoed during the Second World War, leaving him with terrible burns. Every time he came to stay, Michael was warned by his mother that he must not stare, he must not make too much noise, he must not ask Grandpa any questions about his past. As he grows older, Michael stays with his grandfather during the summer holidays and learns the story behind Grandpa’s injuries, finally getting to know the real man behind the solemn figure from his childhood. Michael can see beyond the burns, and this gives him the power to begin healing scars that have divided his family for so long.

“Will fire imaginations and elicit the heart-pumping, wide-eyed response that has kept this tale alive and vigorous through the ages.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) Long ago a Scandinavian warrior fought three evils so powerful they threatened whole kingdoms. Standing head and shoulders above his comrades, Beowulf single-handedly saved the land of the Danes from a merciless ogre named Grendel and from his sea-hag mother. But it is his third terrible battle, with the death-dragon of the deep, in which he truly meets his match. Lovers of heroes, monsters, and the drama of battle will find this retelling as enthralling as it is tragic.

“Morpurgo''s dramatic telling captures the vitality of the tale as well as its beauty and mystery.” — Booklist (starred review) Welcome to a medieval world full of sword fights and shape-shifting, monsters and magic, and timeless characters both gallant and wonderfully human. Written anonymously in the fourteenth century, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is retold in its entirety by Michael Morpurgo in a lively and accessible narration that captures all the tale’s drama and humor. Vivid illustrations by the celebrated Michael Foreman infuse this classic tale with dragons, swords, and medieval pageantry.

The last thirty years have witnessed one of the most fertile periods in the history of children''s books. A fascinating reference guide to the world of children''s literature, this volume covers every genre from fairy tales to chapbooks; school stories to science fiction; comics to children''s hymns

Author of War Horse, and bestselling storyteller Michael Morpurgo touched our hearts with this beautiful story of a boy, his lost dog, and the lengths he would go to be reunited. This timely story of battle-scarred Afghanistan delivers a masterful portrait of war, love, and friendship. With the horrors of war bearing down on them, Aman and his mother are barely surviving in an Afghan cave, and staying there any longer will end horribly. The only comfort Aman has is Shadow, the loyal spaniel that shows up from places unknown, it seems, just when Aman needs him most. Aman, his mother, and Shadow finally leave the destroyed cave in hopes of escaping to England, but are held at a checkpoint, and Shadow runs away after being shot at by the police. Aman and his mother escape--without Shadow. Aman is heart-broken. Just as they are getting settled as free citizens in England, they are imprisoned in a camp with locked doors and a barbed wire fence. Their only hope is Aman''s classmate Matt, his grandpa, and the dream of finding his lost dog. After all, you never lose your shadow.